The UN Human Rights Council decided on Wednesday to launch an urgent probe into Israel's recent military operations in the Gaza Strip, particularly the deadly attack on Palestinian homes in Beit Hanun.

The body decided to dispatch urgently a high-level fact-finding mission to Beit Hanoun, northern Gaza, where recent Israeli military attacks killed at least 18 civilians, including children and women, said a resolution passed by the 47-state Council.

The resolution was sponsored by Arab and Islamic states and discussed during a one-day special session of the Council. It was finally adopted by a vote of 32 states in favor, 8 against and 6 abstentions, with one member country absent from the meeting.

The resolution emphasized that the Israeli targeting of Palestinian civilians constitutes a gross violation of human rights law and international humanitarian law.

It expressed "shock at the horror of Israeli targeting and killing of Palestinian civilians in Beit Hanun" and condemned the action.

It also called for "urgent international action" to halt "gross and systematic violations of the human rights of the Palestinian people" including those occurring during "the series of incessant and repeated Israeli military incursions."

This was the third special session held by the Council on an urgent situation since it was formally inaugurated in June, replacing its discredited predecessor, the Human Rights Commission.

The two others, held in July and August respectively, both dealt with Israeli military operations and alleged human rights violations.

Besides regular sessions, the Council can hold special sessions on urgent situations at the request of a member of the Council with the support of one-third of the whole membership, according to the UN resolution that created the body in spring.

Source: Xinhua