GENEVA, August 5 (RIA Novosti) - There is a growing evidence of war crimes being committed in Gaza, the shelling of UN schools is a violation of international humanitarian law, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Navanethem Pillay said on Tuesday in Geneva.
“An attack against humanitarian relief personnel and objects used exclusively for relief operations, is a violation of international humanitarian law and may amount to a war crime,” Pillay said.
Pillay reminded that six UN schools have been shelled so far, and civilian Palestinians have been targeted, including women and children. She argued that over 250,000 Palestinians have been forced to leave their homes.
High commissioner also condemned the Palestinian shelling of populated Israeli cities and highlighted that fighting should not take place near the populated areas.
Pillay stated that since the beginning of a military operation in Gaza, Israel fired 4,000 rockets at Palestinian territory. At the same time, 3,500 missiles from Gaza exploded in Israeli territory, killing 3 civilians.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, concluded with the meditation of Egypt, came into effect on Tuesday morning. It is meant to last for three days. During this time, both sides are supposed to hold indirect talks in Cairo.
