UN rights body to meet on Gaza violence

JERUSALEM (AP) – The U.N.’s top human rights body will hold a special session to discuss “the deteriorating human rights situation in the occupied Palestinian territory” in the wake of a deadly crackdown on protesters in Gaza by Israeli forces.

The 47-member Human Rights Council says Friday’s session is being convened following a request by Palestine and the United Arab Emirates that was supported by 17 members – one more than required under council rules – including Cuba, Egypt, Iraq, Pakistan and Saudi Arabia.

Israeli troops firing into Gaza killed nearly 60 Palestinians at mass border protests on Monday.

Israel and the United States have repeatedly accused the council of anti-Israel bias.

Israel’s ambassador in Geneva, Aviva Raz Shechter, tweeted that convening the session “rewards Hamas’ terror strategy & its use of civilians as human shields to advance its terror activities” against Israelis.