Gaza doctor nominated for Nobel peace prize

ISRAEL: A Palestinian doctor whose three daughters were killed by Israeli troops in the Gaza war has been nominated for the Nobel peace prize, an Israeli minister said on Monday.

"I have been informed that the Nobel committee has recognised doctor (Ezzedine) Abu al-Aish as a nominee for the peace prize, and I want to warmly congratulate him," Avishay Braverman, minister in charge of minorities, told AFP.

Aish has vowed to devote himself to the search for peace between Israel and the Palestinians even though his three daughters were killed in January by Israeli troops who later said they mistook the girls for spotters directing Hamas fire.

"We must live in peace. I hope they will be the last children to die," he said after the death of his daughters.

He told Israel's Ynet News that if he received the Nobel prize he would dedicate it to Israel and the Palestinians.

Braverman said he has been friends with Aish for years when they both lived in the southern Israeli desert city of Beersheva. "He is a man who always worked for peace."

"Despite the tragedy that hit him so hard, he says he wants to continue to work for peace. This man is a exemplary symbol of justice and goodwill for the whole world," Braverman said.

According to Palestinian figures, more than 1,400 Palestinians were killed in Israel's 22-day offensive on the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.

Jerusalem, Tuesday, AFP