Reactions to Gaza killings

“The violence and death that we have seen on the Gaza border in recent days is utterly deplorable. We urge the Israeli authorities to show restraint, respect the rights of anyone engaged in peaceful protest, and avoid further loss of life.

“But we also need both sides - and the international community as a whole - to now come together as a matter of urgency, end the blockade and humanitarian crisis inside Gaza, end the illegal occupation of Palestinian lands, and end this senseless cycle of violence by working towards the two-state solution we all want to see, with a secure Israel living in peace alongside a secure and viable state of Palestine."

UN chief calls for probe into deadly clashes along Israel-Gaza border

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has called for an independent and transparent investigation into clashes at the Gaza fence on Friday between Palestinians participating in the ‘Great Return March’ and Israeli security forces which resulted in at least 15 deaths and a large number of injured.

The UN chief’s call for a probe came as the Security Council convened an emergency meeting so its members could be briefed on the deadly incidents.

Thousands of Palestinians marched to Gaza’s border with Israel earlier Friday to protest the long-standing blockade of the enclave. A UN political official said the Palestinian Health Ministry confirmed that 15 Palestinians were killed and more than 1,000 were injured, including by teargas suffocation.

A statement issued by a UN spokesman said the Secretary-General is deeply concerned by the reports of the deadly clashes and that he appealed to those concerned to refrain from any act that could lead to further casualties, particularly measures that could place civilians in harm’s way.

“This tragedy underlines the urgency of revitalizing the peace process aiming at creating the conditions for a return to meaningful negotiations for a peaceful solution that will allow Palestinians and Israelis to live side by side peacefully and in security,” the statement said, reaffirming the readiness of the United Nations to support the process.

Meanwhile, Tayé-Brook Zerihoun, the deputy UN political affairs chief, told the Security Council that around 30,000 people participated in and around the March at various locations in Gaza. Soon after the demonstrations started, the situation turned deadly in several spots.

Some of the casualties were reportedly the result of live ammunition used by Israeli security forces during the March. Other casualties followed armed clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces, including the shelling of a Hamas observation point.

Mr. Zerihoun, who is the Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs, said reports indicate that most of the demonstrators stayed well away from the border fence and were not violent.

“However, there are also reports that some protestors engaged in stone-throwing and violent behavior; some reportedly carrying weapons,” he added.

He told the Council that according to reports from Israeli security forces, militants tried to get through the fence an in attempt to plant explosives. Palestinians also reportedly sent a nine-year-old girl through the fence, but Israeli forces were able to send her safely back.

Hamas leaders were reportedly also present at some of the gatherings.

Violence also broke out in the West Bank, where an estimated 900 Palestinians demonstrated, mostly in cities such as Ramallah and Hebron. According to the Red Crescent, 27 Palestinians were wounded in clashes near Nablus, he said.

“Prior to the March, Israel had increased its forces along the border, deploying snipers, special units and drones, and sent out warnings that it would act to prevent any breach of the border fence or violations of Israel’s sovereignty,” Mr. Zerihoun noted.

Throughout the day, the Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, known as UNSCO, was in contact with both Palestinian and Israeli security forces and would continue to do so as more demonstrations are expected over the next six weeks.

“There is fear the situation might deteriorate in the coming days,” said Mr. Zerihoun, telling the Council that the UN would continue to stress that civilians should not be targeted and that all actors refrain from putting children at risk.

He also called on Israel to uphold its responsibilities under international law, emphasizing that lethal force should only be used as a last resort, with any resulting fatalities properly investigated by the authorities.

“The developments in Gaza today are again a painful reminder of the consequences of a missing peace between Israel and Palestine, and the need to step up our efforts in support of a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” he concluded.

Sinn Féin Leader Mary Lou McDonald TD has called on Taoiseach Leo Varadkar to move to recognise the State of Palestine and to expel the Israeli ambassador following the massacre of sixteen Palestinians in Gaza by the Israeli military yesterday.

Ms McDonald said;

"The Taoiseach must condemn this brutal slaughter of these Palestinian civilians who were engaged in legitimate protest.

"He, and the Irish government, must stand up against the aggression of the Israeli state and for the human rights of the population of Gaza.

"Mr Varadkar should be consistent in his approach to international diplomacy. The international community and European Union must act on the flouting of international law and standards by Israel with the shooting of protesters.

"The Palestinian State and its people are entitled to the support and protections of the international community.

“An Taoiseach, should make clear to Israel that Ireland deplores the actions of their military in killing protestors, that Ireland stands with the people of Palestine and that Ireland recognises the state of Palestine.

“The Irish nation, with our all our history, cannot and will not turn a blind eye to these acts, and the Taoiseach must act and move to expel the Israeli ambassador

"The Taoiseach cannot be silent in the wake of this atrocity."