UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour expressed alarm on Monday about the violence that has been taking place in Gaza and Israel over the past few days.
While recognizing Israel's right to defend itself, Arbour condemned the Israeli Defense Forces' "disproportionate use of force" in the Gaza Strip.
She also called on Israel to make an impartial investigation into the reported killing of dozens of Palestinian civilians, including children, in its operations.
Israel, as the occupying Power, bears a particular responsibility under international human rights and humanitarian law to protect the civilian population and civilian installations in Gaza, Arbour said in a statement.
Arbour also condemned the rocket attacks by Palestinian militants against Israeli civilian targets. "These attacks are in clear violation of international humanitarian law," she said.
The high commissioner also urged the international community to step up pressure on both sides to uphold their obligations under international human rights and humanitarian law, and to ensure that failure to do so is dealt with appropriately.
Source:Xinhua
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