Palestine welcomes UNHCR's decision to probe Israeli violations

RAMALLAH, May 28 -- Palestine on Thursday welcomed the decision of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to form an independent committee to investigate Israeli violations in the Palestinian territories, reported Xinhua.

During an emergency session, the UNHRC decided to launch an international investigation into human rights violations committed in the occupied Palestinian territories and Israel since April, after 24 member states voted in favour and nine against, while 14 abstained.

The decision called for an inquiry into the recent violent confrontations between the Israeli army and the Palestinian factions in the Gaza Strip, as well as the "deep causes" of tensions between the two sides.

The Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a press statement that 24 member states who voted in favour of the decision "are standing on the side of justice, right and accountability."

"Forming the committee reflects the international community's insistence to carry on in the path of accountability, implementation of the law and protection of Palestinian human rights," the statement added.

Ahmad Murra, director of the media department of the Hamas movement in the Gaza Strip, said that Hamas considers the UNHRC's decision as "a step in the right direction."

In a press statement, Murra said that "it is important to reach reality, ensure justice for the Palestinians and unveil the Israeli violations," referring to the recent 11-day violence in the Gaza Strip that ended on May 21.

-- BERNAMA