GENEVA - The UN resolution setting up a fact-finding mission was adopted in Geneva despite the lack of Western support. Thirty-three African, Asian, Arab and Latin American countries voted for the resolution. Thirteen mainly European states abstained, while Canada voted against.The text released by the UN Council “strongly” condemned the Israeli military operation, saying it had “resulted in massive violations” of the human rights of Palestinians. The resolution asked 10 UN experts on human rights and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay to investigate the violence in two separate probes.
It also set up an independent, international fact-finding mission to “investigate all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by Israel,” while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was asked to investigate the bombing of UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Army insisted that all weapons being used in Gaza were within the bounds of international law amid accusations it was using controversial white phosphorus shells. Asked whether the military was using white phosphorus, an army spokesman refused to confirm or deny the claim, saying: “We are only using what is being used by other Western armies. We are not using anything out of the ordinary.”
It also set up an independent, international fact-finding mission to “investigate all violations of human rights and international humanitarian law by Israel,” while UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon was asked to investigate the bombing of UNRWA schools in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Army insisted that all weapons being used in Gaza were within the bounds of international law amid accusations it was using controversial white phosphorus shells. Asked whether the military was using white phosphorus, an army spokesman refused to confirm or deny the claim, saying: “We are only using what is being used by other Western armies. We are not using anything out of the ordinary.”
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