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UN human rights head exhorts Israel to end strikes against Palestinian civilians

11 July 2014 18:42 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on Friday warned against Israeli military operations that have killed Palestinian civilians in Gaza, and the indiscriminate firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

The high commissioner urged all sides to abide by their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian laws.

"Israel, Hamas, and Palestinian armed groups in Gaza have been down this road before, and it has led only to death, destruction, distrust and a painful prolongation of the conflict," Pillay said.

In particular, she warned that attacks must not be directed against civilians or civilian objects, nor should military assets be located in densely-populated areas or attacks be launched from such areas.

Latest reports show the death toll in Gaza has mounted to above 100, with hundreds more injured. A total of 88 Palestinians, including at least 21 children and 11 women, had been killed since the beginning of a new round of Israeli strikes on Tuesday night.

Israeli media said over 800 strikes have been carried out since the operation began, with 60 on Thursday morning alone.

Reports also showed Palestinian armed groups fired a total of 809 rockets and 61 mortars, and that as of midday Thursday, nine Israeli civilians were injured while fleeing to shelters.