By Fatih Erel
GENEVA
The UN Human Rights Council on Friday decided to urgently dispatch an independent, international commission of inquiry to investigate all alleged violations and abuses which may amount to war crimes in the occupied Gaza Strip.
The probe will be carried out in the context of Israeli military assaults on large-scale civilian Palestinian protests that began on March 30.
The council made the announcement after holding a special session and adopting a resolution on the issue with 29 in favor, two against (the U.S. and Australia) and 14 abstentions.
According to the resolution, the council decided “to urgently dispatch an independent, international commission of inquiry...to investigate all alleged violations and abuses of international humanitarian law and international human rights law in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, particularly in the occupied Gaza Strip, in the context of the military assaults on large scale civilian protests that began on 30 March 2018."
It called upon Israel to cooperate fully with the commission of inquiry and facilitate its access and requests the cooperation, as appropriate, of other relevant UN bodies.
The council also 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, in violation of international humanitarian law, international human rights law.
The resolution also underlined "the lack of accountability for violations of international law reinforces a culture of impunity, leading to a recurrence of violations and seriously endangering international peace".
Noting the "systematic failure" by Israel to carry out genuine investigations in an impartial, independent, prompt and effective way, it emphasized the obligations of Israel as the occupying power to ensure the safety, well-being and protection of the Palestinian civilian population.
Calling for an immediate cessation of all attacks, the council demanded that Israel immediately and fully end its illegal closure of the occupied Gaza Strip, which amounts to collective punishment of the Palestinian civilian population.
UN: Gaza killings by Israel amount to 'war crime'
The use of force against Palestinian protesters in Israel amounts to a "war crime" under the Statute of Rome, the UN rapporteur on Palestine Michael Lynk said in a UN Human Rights Council special session on Friday.
According to the UN, over the past seven weeks, over 100 Palestinian demonstrators have died at the hands of the Israeli military. Among the dead are children, journalists, medics, and many young unemployed men. Approximately, 12,000 have been injured.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein said during session: "These people [the killed protesters], many of whom were completely unarmed, were shot in the back, in the head and limbs with live ammunition, as well as rubber-coated steel bullets and tear-gas canisters. "
"The Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has also described the demonstrators as being 'paid by Hamas', and has said the Israeli security forces 'try to minimize casualties'," he said. "There is little evidence of any attempt to minimize casualties on Monday."
Calling for an investigation that is international, independent and impartial, he added: "Those responsible for violations must be held accountable."
Turkey's ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Naci Koru, added: "We are horrified by the events that took place in Gaza and condemn the appalling, deadly violence during which more than 60 Palestinians were martyred and hundreds were injured. This massacre carried out by Israeli security forces is unacceptable."
"Turkey also strongly condemns the illegal move of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, which is violating international law and all relevant UN resolutions. We reiterate that this action is legally null and void. Turkey emphasizes that such a step, which disregards the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, will inevitably ignite further tensions and jeopardize the security and stability in the region," Koru said.
Noting that Turkey is supported by this special session, Koru said: "Only an independent and transparent investigation into the incidents in Gaza will ensure accountability."
After the resolution was adopted, Koru expressed his appreciation for the resolution.
On Monday, at least 62 Palestinian demonstrators were martyred and thousands more injured by Israeli armed forces along the Gaza-Israel fence, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Thousands of Palestinians had gathered on the Gaza Strip’s eastern border to take part in protests marking the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel -- which Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, Arabic for "Catastrophe" -- and protest the relocation of the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
