The UN Security Council expressed “deep concern” over the devastating incident that claimed the lives of more than 100 Palestinians seeking assistance on Thursday in northern Gaza, while acknowledging that an Israeli investigation is underway.
“Council members express their deep concern at reports that more than 100 people lost their lives and several hundred others were injured, including people with gunshot wounds as noted by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, in an incident in which Israeli forces participated in a large gathering surrounding At a humanitarian aid center, the Security Council said in a statement on Saturday that the convoy was located southwest of Gaza City.
He added, “Council members note that the Israeli investigation is currently underway.”
On Thursday, the day of the incident, Security Council members were unable to agree on a statement due to American objections.
The statement issued on Saturday said that Security Council members “reiterate their call on the parties to the conflict to allow, facilitate and enable the immediate, rapid, safe, sustainable and unhindered delivery of humanitarian assistance on a large scale to the Palestinian civilian population throughout the Gaza Strip.” “strips.”
“Council members urge Israel to keep border crossings open for humanitarian access into Gaza, facilitate the opening of additional crossings to address large-scale humanitarian needs, and support the rapid and safe delivery of relief materials to people throughout Gaza,” the statement said.
Massacre: At least 118 people were killed and 760 others injured on Thursday when Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian civilians gathering around food aid trucks, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza.
CNN is unable to independently confirm these numbers.
The Israeli army denied this account, saying that it fired warning shots to disperse a crowd of people.
A spokesman for the United Nations Secretary-General said on Friday, citing a United Nations team that visited the hospital to which the survivors were taken, that many of the injured civilians had suffered gunshot wounds.
“From what they have seen, in terms of patients who are alive and receiving treatment, is that there are a large number of gunshot wounds,” Stephane Dujarric said.
Following the incident, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said an effective independent investigation was needed.
