UN Human Rights Council condemns IDF actions in Gaza

[Behind the Aegis]

The United Nations Human Rights Council condemned Israel's military action in Gaza at the behest of Pakistan and other Muslim states on Thursday.

The UN's top human rights body agreed on a resolution proclaiming that the Israel Defense Forces incursions into the Palestinian territory inflicted collective punishment on the civilian population. The resolution also calls for Palestinian rocket fire from Gaza into Israel to be stopped.

More than 120 Palestinians and four Israelis have been killed over the past two weeks in military actions and rocket strikes.

The 47-member rights body approved the resolution by 33 votes to one after a debate on the situation in Gaza. Thirteen countries abstained.

Russia, China and India supported the resolution. European countries abstained. Canada voted against.

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