Under international law, Israel must make sure its attacks are proportional, avoid civilian deaths, and identify military versus civilian objects on the ground, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said on Friday.

"We have received deeply disturbing reports that many of the civilian casualties, including of children, occurred as a result of strikes on homes. Such reports raise serious doubt about whether the Israeli strikes have been in accordance with international humanitarian law and international human rights law," Pillay said in a statement.

The Palestinian death toll climbed to at least 106 people early Saturday, as the Israeli regime continued its airstrikes for the fourth consecutive day, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. At least 75 of those killed are civilians, including 23 children, Reuters quoted medical officials in Gaza as saying.

Meanwhile, there haven’t been any casualties in Israel, with only nine civilians injured, Pillay’s office said, citing media reports.

According to Pillay, airstrikes that target the homes of civilians violate international law.

On Thursday, US President Barack Obama told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington is willing to negotiate a ceasefire between the Tel Aviv regime and Hamas resistance movement, the White House said.

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin urged Netanyahu to put an immediate end to the bloodshed in a telephone conversation on Thursday, voicing concern over climbing civilian casualties.

UN chief Ban Ki-moon has also called for an immediate ceasefire at an emergency meeting of the Security Council.

Moreover, French President Francois Hollande has further expressed concern over the worsening crisis in Israel and Gaza and urged an end to the violence.

NTJ/MB