UN to investigate Israel's Gaza offensive

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UN to investigate Israel's Gaza offensive
The UN Human Rights Council has voted to launch an independent inquiry into Israel's offensive in Gaza, Israel continued its bombardment of the Gaza Strip in its operation against Hamas.

The vote on Wednesday in Geneva came hours after the UN rights chief, Navi Pillay, told an emergency session of the council that Israel's military actions could amount to war crimes, as it continued pounding the enclave for a 16th day.

The 47-member council adopted the investigation under a draft resolution after a request by Palestine, which has UN observer status.

- 29 states voted in favour of the investigation.
- 17 abstained, including many EU states.
- 1 voted against - the US.

The Israeli prime minister's office said in a statement that the decision was a "travesty", adding that Israel had "gone to unprecedented lengths to keep Palestinian civilians out of harm's way".

A total of 693 Palestinians - the vast majority of them civilians - have been killed in Israel's 16-day campaign in Gaza. In the same period, two Israeli civilians have been killed by rocket fire into Israel, and 32 Israeli soldiers have died in Gaza.

Hamas calls for end to blockade of Gaza border
Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal is calling for the opening of Gaza's borders and the end of a more than seven-year-long blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt on the Palestinian strip.

Striking a defiant tone, he said Wednesday that Gaza is fighting an occupying force and that the Palestinians are "the true owners of the land."

Mashaal says Hamas cannot abandon its terms in a cease-fire agreement, and can accept a humanitarian truce that is supported by a genuine relief program for the besieged Gaza Strip.

Thousands hold new pro-Gaza rally in Paris amid tight security
Several thousands held a fresh protest against the Israeli offensive in Gaza on Wednesday (July 23) in Paris amid tight security days after similar rallies descended into violence and looting.

One protestor, Samira Cheblal, said she had come with a simple message: "Stop the massacre of children and civilians."

In addition to the Paris event, staged by a coalition of pro-Palestinian and left-wing groups, demonstrations were also held in the cities of Lyon, Toulouse, Lille and Reims.