UN rights body slams Israel for 'mass killings' of Palestinians

GENEVA - The United Nations top human rights body condemned Israel on Monday for "mass killings" of Palestinians and demanded it end its military offensive in the occupied territories.

The annual session of the Geneva-based Commission on Human Rights approved a resolution from Arab and Muslim states that blasted Israel for "gross violations" of humanitarian law and affirmed the "legitimate right of Palestinian people to resist."

The motion, backed by some European Union states including France, expressed grave concern at "the killing of men, women and children" in West Bank refugee camps, amongst them Jenin where Palestinians accuse Israeli troops of massacring Palestinian women and children as well as fighters.

But it made no mention of particular incidents when referring to "acts of mass killings perpetrated by the Israeli occupying authorities."

Israel says around 70 Palestinian militants were killed in the camp, which saw some of the fiercest fighting of its 17-day incursion into Palestinian controlled areas - billed as a drive against suicide bombers.

But Israel's reluctance to let aid workers into Jenin and other camps has stirred suspicions and triggered protests from humanitarian groups.