Madrid- Spain's National Court will investigate a 2002 Israeli attack in the Gaza Strip, with then defence minister Benjamin Ben-Eliezer and six army members suspected of a crime against humanity, judge Fernando Andreu announced Thursday.

Andreu accepted a complaint lodged by the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights.

Israel dropped a one-ton bomb into a Gaza City neighbourhood housing Hamas leader Salah Shehade on July 22, 2002. Shehade and 14 other people were killed in the attack.

Andreu will request the Palestinian authorities to arrange for witnesses of the attack to be questioned, and Israel to inform the suspects of the judicial proceedings concerning them, the judge said in his ruling.

Andreu said he had earlier requested information from Israel on whether the attack was being investigated, but received no reply.

Spain's National Court has investigated alleged human rights violations around the world, especially in Latin America. (dpa)