Six months after Israel launched its military offensive in Gaza some commentators now say it was a textbook case of what states can get away with under international law.

More than fourteen-hundred Palestinians died in the three-week conflict and about one and a half million Palestinians are now attempting to pick up the pieces and rebuild.

Amnesty International recently accused both Israel and Hamas of committing war crimes during the 22-day war.

There is also evidence of Gazans being abused at checkpoints and of the Israeli Defence Forces shooting at Red Cross and Palestinian medical workers.

Under international law, civilians must always be shielded from attacks.

But the International Committee of the Red Cross says in this case neither side is likely to be punished because they do not recognise the jurisdiction of the international criminal court.

2SER’S Alex McDonald reports.