UNITED NATIONS, Jan 16: Israel’s use of heavy artillery in residential areas of Gaza City violated the prohibition under the laws of war against indiscriminate attacks and should be stopped immediately, Human Rights Watch demanded on Friday.

A Human Rights Watch researcher on the Israel-Gaza border on Thursday observed Israel’s repeated use in the centre of Gaza City of 155mm artillery shells, which inflict blast and fragmentation damage up to 300 metres away.

“Firing 155mm shells into the centre of Gaza City, whatever the target, will likely cause horrific civilian casualties,” said Marc Garlasco, senior military analyst at Human Rights Watch. “By using this weapon in such circumstances, Israel is committing indiscriminate attacks in violation of the laws of war.”

The New York-based watchdog group said it was unable to conduct full investigations into alleged violations of laws of war because of Israel’s continuing denial of access to Gaza.

According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Israel shelled the relief organisation’s main compound in Gaza City, wounding three employees.