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BEIRUT, July 27 (Xinhua) -- UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Turk said on Monday that Israeli military operations in Lebanon have caused widespread civilian suffering and may amount to "war crimes."

Speaking at a press conference in Beirut at the end of his four-day official visit, Türk said his office had documented "large-scale violations of international humanitarian law, some possibly amounting to war crimes."

According to a statement released by the UN Information Center, he said continued Israeli airstrikes, shelling and the use of explosive weapons in densely populated areas had caused heavy civilian casualties, widespread destruction and mass displacement.

Türk also announced that an impartial and independent assessment mission has begun gathering information and evidence on alleged violations committed by parties to the conflict since March 2.

Citing Lebanese authorities, Türk said more than 4,300 people have been killed and over 12,200 injured in Lebanon since March 2, including more than 135 healthcare workers as well as many journalists and media workers.