Arab delegation demands UN investigates Israel's Gaza massacre

Arab ambassadors to the UN are urging the organisation to investigate Israel's brutal attack on unarmed Palestinian protesters during the peaceful Great Return March.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab & agencies

06 April, 2018

Israel opened fire at peaceful protesters in the besieged Gaza Strip killing dozens [Getty]

Arab ambassadors are urging the UN secretary-general to launch an independent investigation into the killing of 19 Palestinians during a peaceful protest last week calling for the Palestinian right to return.

Tunisian Ambassador Mohammed Khaled Khiari heads the Arab group at the United Nations and says its members welcome Secretary-General Antonio Guterres' call for an independent and transparent investigation in the Great Return March massacre.

Palestinian Ambassador Riyad Mansour told reporters after a meeting on Thursday with Guterres that the UN leader's response was "positive."

Mansour says Guterres expressed serious concern at the civilian deaths, adding that both the Arab group and Guterres prefer an independent investigation. The Palestinian envoy also said that there are other models of fact-finding missions.

The Great Return March protests began last week and included cultural events such as traditional Palestinian dabka dancing for the thousands of families, women and children attending. It turned deadly after Israeli soldiers opened fire on protesters.

The march is specifically important to 1.3 million of the besieged enclave's population because they are families of refugees who fled to Gaza during the mass expulsion of Palestinians during Israel's establishment in 1948.

Israel's violent response drew widespread condemnation and calls for an independent investigation from the European Union and Guterres.