The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution condemning the Israeli military operation in Gaza in strong terms.

Call to end operations

The organisation has called on Israel to put an immediate stop to the attacks and withdraw from the Gaza strip. Furthermore, it will send a delegation to the area to investigate alleged war crimes.

The council has 44 members, and its decisions are not binding. Only Canada voted against the condemnation. 13 countries abstained in the vote.

35,000 Palestinians displaced

John Ging, head of the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) said that fear had never been so high in Gaza in the last three years. He said there was no safe place left in the area. According to Ging, around 35,000 Palestinians have fled their homes.

Over 900 dead

Israel announced on Monday (12 January) that it had hit 60 targets. According to Palestinian health authorities, at least 910 Palestinians have been killed since the start of attacks on 27 December. Of these 292 were children, and 75 women.

According to the BBC news, Israeli units are advancing into densely-populated Gaza and firing with tanks. The same news item said that Hamas fired 30 rockets at Israel on Monday.

Call for ceasefire

UN General Secretary Ban Ki-Moon was to meet Middle Eastern leaders yesterday (13 January). He called on Israel and Hamas to stop fighting and to obey the call for a ceasefire made by the UN Security Council. (TK/AG)