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UN Security Council hears Gaza restraint calls
UNITED NATIONS, United States, March 31, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – The UN Security
Council heard fears of a further escalation in Israeli-Palestinian violence
in the Gaza Strip during emergency talks Friday despite a failure to agree a
joint statement on deadly clashes.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres also called for an “independent and
transparent investigation” and reaffirmed “the readiness” of the world body
to revitalize peace efforts, a spokesperson said.
Kuwait requested the meeting to discuss the unraveling situation in Gaza,
where Palestinians said Israeli fire killed 16 people in the conflict’s
deadliest single day since the 2014 Gaza war.
“There is fear that the situation might deteriorate in the coming days,”
said assistant UN secretary general for political affairs, Taye-Brook
Zerihoun, urging maximum restraint.
Britain and the United States expressed regret that the timing of the
meeting — the first night of Passover — meant Israeli officials could not
attend. Leading ambassadors sent deputies in their place.
“It’s vital that this Council be balanced in its approach,” a US diplomat
told the meeting. “We should have found an arrangement for all parties to
participate tonight,” he added.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of life today,” the diplomat added.
“Bad actors who use protests as a cover to incite violence endanger innocent
lives,” he added.
“The risk of escalation is very real,” the French representative said.
“There is the possibility of a new conflict in the Gaza Strip.”
In a written statement before the meeting, Israel’s ambassador to the
United Nations, Danny Danon, blamed Hamas for the violence.
The violence broke out as tens of thousands of Gazans marched near the
Israeli border to demand that the right of return for Palestinian refugees
who fled or were expelled since the creation of Israel.
Israeli troops used tear gas and live fire to force back Palestinians who
approached the heavily fortified border fence.
Israeli tank fire and an air strike also targeted three Hamas sites in the
Gaza Strip after what the military said was an attempted shooting attack
against soldiers along the border that caused no injuries.
The health ministry in Gaza said 16 Palestinians were killed by Israeli
forces and more than 1,400 were injured, including 758 by live fire, with the
remainder hurt by rubber bullets and tear gas.
Palestinians accused Israel of using disproportionate force. The Israeli
military said the protests were used as cover by militants to either break
through the border or carry out attacks.
BSS/AFP/MRI/0840 hrs