Gaza Mp Slams Israel's Barring Of Un Envoy From W. Bank

An independent Palestinian lawmaker has lashed out at Israel after the latter barred the United Nations' special envoy to the Palestinian territories from entering the occupied West Bank.



The move, MP Gamal al-Khodari, a Gaza-based lawmaker, said in a statement, was "flagrant proof of the violation of the principles of international law by Israel."



On Thursday, Makarim Wibisono, the U.N.'s special rapporteur on the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories, said he would pay his first official visit to the region from September 20 to 28 to assess the human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territories first hand following Israel's recent military onslaught on the Gaza Strip.



"Despite my best efforts, I have not been granted access by Israel to the Occupied Palestinian Territory [the West Bank and East Jerusalem] at this time," Wibisono said.



"I deeply regret not having the opportunity to visit the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and to speak face-to-face with victims and witnesses of Israel's alleged violations of international humanitarian and human rights law," he added.



Al-Khodari, in his statement, said that Israeli attempts to hide the truth about its "collective punishment" of the Palestinians were doomed to fail, regardless of its decision to bar international delegations from entering the Palestinian territories.



He also called on the international community and United Nations to play a more active role in stopping Israeli "violations" and apply international law to Israel in regards to its "aggressive practices."



Israel's recent 51-day offensive against the Gaza Strip left some 2,150 Gazans dead and 11,000 injured – many critically – while damaging or destroying thousands of residential structures across the Palestinian enclave.



Over the course of Israel's "Operation Protective Edge," at least 72 Israelis – 67 soldiers and five civilians – were also killed.



The offensive – initially launched with the stated aim of ending rocket fire from Gaza – ended late last month with an indefinite cease-fire, which was celebrated by Hamas as a victory over the self-proclaimed Jewish state.



By Ola Attalah



englishnews@aa.com.tr



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