UN human rights council opens probe into Israel’s Gaza offensive

KABUL: (Middle East Press) The UN Human Rights Council has launched an investigation into the Gaza offensive, backing calls by the Palestinians to hold the Israeli regime to account despite ferocious opposition from Tel Aviv.

The Wednesday decision came after a epic seven-hour emergency session of the top UN human rights body, where Israelis and Palestinians traded accusations over war crimes.

The 47-member council backed a Palestinian-drafted resolution by 29 votes, with Arab and fellow Muslim countries joined by China and Russia, plus Latin American and African nations.

The United States was the single member to vote against. The 17 abstentions were by the council’s European members, plus Japan and South Korea.

The probe team, yet to be appointed, is tasked with reporting back to the council by March.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s media office condemned the decision.

“This investigation by a kangaroo court is an inevitable conclusion,” his office claimed.

US ambassador Keith Harper assumed that the vote would undermine ceasefire efforts.

The session was called by Arab nations and fellow members of the Organization of the Islamic Conference.

The council’s membership rotates, and Israel is not currently part of the UN body. Non-members cannot vote but are free to speak.