Israeli policemen examine rocket fired by Hezbollah guerrillas that killed three Israeli Arabs in northern town of Maalot, Aug. 3, 2006

Human Rights Watch is calling on Hezbollah militants in Lebanon to immediately stop firing rockets into civilian areas in Israel, referring to the attacks as "war crimes."

A statement issued Saturday by the New York-based organization says militants have launched 2,500 rockets into mostly civilian areas in northern Israel since July 12.

The organization has also documented the Israeli military's use of force that has killed hundreds of Lebanese civilians. But it says crimes by one side in a conflict never justify crimes by another.

Human Rights Watch said Hezbollah militants claim that some of their attacks are aimed at military bases in Israel. But the rights organization says most attacks appear to be directed at civilian areas such as hospitals, schools and businesses.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP.