UN urges Israeli raid probe
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The UN Security Council on Tuesday condemned the Israeli attacks on a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza and called for "the immediate release" of the ships and personnel held by Israel.
At least 10 people were killed and 30 others injured in the Israeli raid on Monday.
The condemnation was contained in a presidential statement adopted by the Security Council, which met in an emergency meeting at the request of Lebanon, Turkey and Palestine. The meeting started Monday afternoon and dragged on into Tuesday.
"The Security Council deeply regrets the loss of life and injuries resulting from the use of force during the Israeli military operation in international waters against the convoy sailing to Gaza," the statement said.
"The Council, in this context, condemns those acts which resulted in the loss of at least ten civilians and many wounded, and expresses its condolences to their families."
Claude Heller, the Mexican UN ambassador who holds the rotating Council presidency for June, read the statement at an open Council meeting following hours of closed-door session at the UN Headquarters in New York.
"The Security Council requests the immediate release of the ships as well as the civilians held by Israel," the statement said. "The Council urges Israel to permit full consular access, to allow the countries concerned to retrieve their deceased and wounded immediately, and to ensure the delivery of humanitarian assistance from the convoy to its destination."
The Security Council took note of the statement of UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on the need to have a full investigation into the matter and "it calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards," the statement said.
The Security Council also said "the situation in Gaza is not sustainable," reiterated "its grave concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza" and stressed "the need for sustained and regular flow of goods and people to Gaza as well as unimpeded provision and distribution of humanitarian assistance throughout Gaza."
"The Security Council underscores that the only viable solution to Israeli-Palestinian conflict is an agreement negotiated between the parties and re-emphasizes that only a two-State solution, with an independent and viable Palestinian State living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbors, could bring peace to the region," the statement said.
"The Security Council expresses support for the proximity talks and voices concern that this incident took place while the proximity talks are underway and urges the parties to act with restraint, avoiding any unilateral and provocative actions, and all international partners to promote an atmosphere of cooperation between the parties and throughout the region," the statement said.
