Israel's bombardment of Gaza "bears all the hallmarks of war crimes", Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu said in a statement on Sunday.

"In the context of total aerial supremacy, in which one side in a conflict deploys lethal aircraft against opponents with no means of defending themselves, the bombardment bears all the hallmarks of war crimes."

The attacks, in retaliation for rockets fired by the Palestinians, would not contribute to the security of Israel, he said.

"It is a blight not only on the Middle East, but on the entire world - and particularly world leaders who have consistently failed the people of Palestine and Israel over the past 60 years."
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