Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault

    GENEVA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- The U.N. Human Rights Council agreed on Thursday to send an urgent mission to Gaza to investigate alleged violations by Israel.

    The mission will be led by the U.N. special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory. The mission also comprises four officials of the Office of High Commissioner for Human Rights and two security officers.

    The decision was contained in a resolution passed by the 47-state Council in a special session, which focused on the Palestinian situation.

    The resolution, which was presented by Arab and Muslim countries, demands that Israel ends its military operations in the occupied Palestinian territory.

    It also urged Israel to immediately release the arrested Palestinian ministers, members of the Legislative Council and other officials.

    The voting result of the resolution was 29 in favor, 11 against and five abstentions. Two delegates were absent.

    U.S. Ambassador Warren W. Tichenor, who attended the meeting as an observer, said he was disappointed with session, accusing it of not maintaining a balance in addressing human rights situations.

    He said the session had singled out Israel for scrutiny while avoiding the role of Hamas in the conflict.

    The Council, which replaced the former widely-discredited Human Rights Commission, had its first regular session last month.

    In addition to regular sessions, it can also hold special sessions on urgent situations at the request of member states. Enditem