Gaza probe

Judge Fernando Andreu of Spain's National Court was urged by the prosecutors' office to drop his investigation into a 2002 bombing by the Israeli air force that killed Hamas leader Salah Shehadeh, as well as 14 civilians.

Andreu said on Monday that he had found no evidence that Israel was investigating the case and that his court could launch a simultaneous investigation as the accusations involve war crimes.

Spain's National Court has become known for its inquiries into alleged human rights abuses in other countries, ranging from Chile and Argentina to Tibet and Western Sahara.

High-profile case angers Israel

The suspects named by Andreu include former Israeli Defense Minister Binyamin Ben-Eliezer and six current or former army officers or security officials.

Andreu's investigation was spurred by complaint that was lodged by Palestinian Center for Human Rights.

Andreu's doggedness in pursuing the case has created tension between Spain and Israel. Madrid has said it plans to curb the scope for Spanish courts to investigate human rights abuses in other countries.