NEW YORK: The United Nations Security Council has once again underscored the need to protect civilians in war-hit Gaza in the wake of the tragic incident at an aid convoy on Thursday.
Members in a statement on Sunday voiced their grave concern over reports that more than 100 people lost their lives, while several hundred sustaining injuries, including gunshot injuries in an incident involving the forces of Israel at a big gathering around a humanitarian assistance convoy in Gaza.
They noted that an Israeli investigation of the deadly incident is under way.
The Council emphasized the need to take all necessary steps to protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, adding that all parties to the conflict must fulfill their obligations under international law.
Parties were asked to refrain from depriving civilian population of Gaza from basic services and humanitarian aid.
The Council also expressed deep concern over the acute food insecurity that the whole population of Gaza, more than two million people, is facing.
Members reiterated their demand for parties to ensure and facilitate, the immediate, safe, rapid, sustained and uninterrupted delivery of humanitarian assistance to the Palestinian civilian population across the Gaza Strip.
They asked Israel to keep border crossings open for humanitarian assistance to enter Gaza, to facilitate the opening of additional crossings to meet humanitarian demands and to support the rapid and safe delivery of relief good across the enclave.
