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UN to probe Gaza killings

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GENEVA: Israel railed against the UN Human Rights Council on Friday as it voted to set up a probe into recent killings in Gaza and accused Israel of excessive use of force.


The resolution to send a commission of inquiry to investigate was rejected by the US and Australia, but backed by 29 members of the 47-state UN forum.


Another 14 countries, including Britain, Germany and Japan, abstained. Israel’s Ambassador in Geneva, Aviva Raz Shechter, castigated the council for “spreading lies against Israel” during “five hours of ludicrous statements”.


Israel’s Foreign Ministry said it totally rejected the resolution, adding the entire purpose of the council was “not to investigate the truth but to compromise Israel’s right to self-defence and to single out the Jewish state for demonisation”.


Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al Maliki welcomed the UN decision.


“The Human Rights Council’s formation of an international committee of investigation is a step towards doing justice to the Palestinian people,” he said in a statement. He urged speedy implementation “to stop Israeli war crimes”.


The special session of the Human Rights Council was convened after the bloodiest day for Palestinians in years on Monday, when 60 were killed by Israeli gunfire during demonstrations that Israel said included attempts to breach its frontier fence.


— Agencies


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