UN Inquiry Committee To Probe Israeli Offensive In Gaza

A senior Palestinian diplomat announced on Tuesday that a United Nations inquiry committee will arrive in the Gaza Strip in October to probe 50 days of Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.

Ibrahim Khreisha, the Palestinian representative to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), told Xinhua that "We were officially informed that the committee will arrive in the Gaza Strip in the first week of October."

"We consider with deep concerns that the arrival of the committee to Gaza will start to investigate all the Israeli violations against civilians and their properties, including schools run by the UN," Khreisha added.

On July 23, the UNHRC decided to send a probe committee to the Gaza Strip to investigate possible violations of human rights during the Israeli military operations in the coastal enclave.

William Shabas, a professor in international law, will head the committee. The committee will present its report to the UN Security Council.

"The committee will check and see the reality on the ground in the Gaza Strip and listen to the people and hear the testimonies of Palestinians, mainly the violations of killing whole families in Gaza," said Khreisha.

On Aug. 26, a ceasefire agreement brokered by Egypt ended 50 days war between Israel and Gaza Hamas-led militants.

The Palestinian health ministry said that during the 50 days of war, Israel killed 2,140 Palestinians, wounded 11,100 others and destroyed hundreds of houses. (Cihan/Xinhua)