UN rights council to investigate Gaza repression
The UN Human Rights Council passed a resolution on May 18 to send an independent commission of inquiry to investigate "all violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the context of large-scale civilian protests in the occupied Palestinian territory." The Council "condemned the disproportionate and indiscriminate use of force by the Israeli occupying forces against Palestinian civilians, including in the context of peaceful protests, particularly in the Gaza Strip, and called for an immediate cessation of all attacks, incitement and violence against civilians throughout the occupied Palestinian territory, including East Jerusalem."
Twenty-nine countries voted in favor of the investigation commission. The US and Australia were the only two countries that voted against the resolution. Fourteen countries abstained, including Germany, Japan and the UK.
During the discussion held prior to the vote, Israel said that the UN was acting in a way that was politically motivated and that "Hamas was cynically exploiting its own population in a violent campaign against Israel."
The UN Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territory Michael Lynk on May 15 condemned the use of lethal force by Israel. Lynk called on the Israeli government "to immediately cease its lethal assault against protesters at the Gaza fence, who appear to pose no credible threat to Israeli military forces on the Israeli side of the fence."
From Jurist, May 21. Used with permission.
Gaza: 112 Palestinians killed in March of Return
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza issued an updated count of Palestinian casualties since the "Great March of Return" began March 30. The ministry nnounced late that Israeli forces have killed 112 Palestinians and injured 13,190 more since the demonstrations began. Thirteen of the killed were under the age of 18, while 2,096 of the injuried are children and 1,029 women. Of the total injuries, 7,618 are related to live ammunition or rubber bullets, 5,572 to tear-gas inhalation; 332 of the injuries are critical. Thirty-two amputations have been carried out; one of them in the upper extremities, 27 in the lower extremities and four in the hands. (Ma'an)
Gaza ceasefire takes effect
A ceasefire agreement took effect May 30 between Israel and Palestinian factions in Gaza , following days of fire exchange across across the line. Hamas and Islamic Jihad launchied at least 28 rockets into Israel, and Israel carried out several airs-trikes in Gaza, killing at least four Palestinian fighters. (Ma'an)
Palestinian nurse killed on Gaza border
A Palestinian nurse was killed by Israeli forces June 1 as she tried to help a wounded protester at the Gaza border. Palestinian militants attacked Israeli troops with gunfire and a grenade, according to the IDF. Razan Al-Najar's death brought to 119 the number of Palestinians killed in weekly demonstrations launched March 30 in the Gaza Strip (Reuters)
US vetoes Security Council resolution on Gaza
The United States vetoed a Security Council resolution backed by Arab countries to protect Palestinians and condemn Israel over the Gaza violence. Ambassador Nikki Haley described the measure, drafted by Kuwait, as one-sided in failing to condemn Hamas. A resolution proposed by Haley, which would have condemned Hamas for the Gaza violence, failed to gain any support from fellow Council members. (NYT)