UN rights chief dismayed by Israel's violations

The UN Human Rights Commissioner, Mary Robinson who arrived Wednesday in Jordan from Gaza, said the situation in the Palestinian territories was "very serious" and she would raise the matter in a report.

"I am very concerned about the human rights situation in the Palestinian territories," Robinson said in an arrival statement broadcast on state television.

She cited the killing of eight Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank Wednesday by Israeli gunfire, saying the "situation is very serious."

Earlier in the Gaza Strip she condemned Israel's excessive use of force to quell the Palestinian uprising.

"I have been made very aware of the strong need for international protection," Robinson told reporters in Gaza City after meeting Palestinian President Yasser Arafat. "I am very concerned about excessive use of force."

Robinson told reporters that there was a "disturbing pattern" to the bullet wounds received by Palestinians shot by Israeli soldiers during the daily clashes. "There were a disproportionate number of injuries to the upper body, the head and many from live ammunition or rubber-bullets fired at very close quarters," she said.