United Nations Radio

The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights is calling for respect for international and humanitarian law in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

A spokesman says normally people in a conflict zone can at least think of fleeing, but in Gaza the population is bottled in on all sides.

Spokesman Rupert Colville says the human rights office condemns the rocket attacks by Hamas which led to the deaths of a number of Israeli civilians.

And it also strongly condemns Israel's disproportionate use of force which resulted in the deaths of more than 560 people including children, journalists, ambulance workers, police officers, students and others:

Crying child in Gaza

"Indiscriminate and disproportionate attacks on civilians are prohibited. In a highly populated area, if you are not absolutely sure a target is a military target you must err on the side of caution. The protection of civilians is paramount under international law. The use of disproportionate force by Israel and the lack of regard for the life of civilians by both Israel and Hamas cannot be justified by the actions of the other side."

Colville says this constitutes clear violations of international human rights and international humanitarian law.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.
(duration:  1'11")