UN rights office ‘concerned’ about Israel strikes, say rockets violate international law

Luke Tress is The Times of Israel's New York correspondent.

People assess the damage of the house of  the deputy commander of a rocket launch unit killed by Israel on May 11, 2023. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)
People assess the damage of the house of the deputy commander of a rocket launch unit killed by Israel on May 11, 2023. (Photo by SAID KHATIB / AFP)

The UN Human Rights Office expresses “alarm” about the fighting between Israel and Gaza terror groups.

A statement says the UN has verified 25 Palestinian fatalities in the past two days, including six children and four women.

The IDF has hit buildings including residential apartments, the statement says.

“We are concerned about whether the IDF took sufficient precautions to avoid, and in any event to minimize, loss of civilian life, injury to civilians and damage to civilian objects,” the statement says.

The UN office also condemns Palestinian rocket fire at Israel.

“The launching of indiscriminate rockets from Gaza into Israel, which puts at risk both Israeli and Palestinian civilians, violates international humanitarian law,” the statement says. “We urge all parties to take measures to de-escalate, and conduct prompt and transparent investigation into all killings, especially of civilians.”

Yesterday the office of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres voiced “deep concern” over the violence and warned Israel it must adhere to international law.

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