Israel strikes on Gaza may constitute war crime, says UN rights chief

Islam News – UN rights chief Michelle Bachelet says Israeli attacks resulted in extensive civilian deaths and major destruction in besieged enclave, home to two million people.

The United Nations human rights chief has said that Israel’s  deadly strikes on Gaza  last week may constitute war crimes   if they are shown to be disproportionate.

Opening a special session of the UN Human Rights Council,  called at the request of Muslim states, Michelle Bachelet  questioned Israeli claims that they were solely hitting military targets, saying that she had seen no evidence that civilian buildings in Gaza hit by Israeli strikes were being used by for military purposes.

“If found disproportionate, such attacks might constitute war crimes,” she told the 47-member Geneva forum.

She also urged Hamas militants in Gaza to refrain from firing indiscriminate rockets on Israel.

Ms Bachelet said it was the “most significant escalation of hostilities since 2014” that left devastation and death in the Gaza Strip before a ceasefire last week.

Source : Independent