Following reports that dozens of Palestinians have been killed,
demonstrating along the border of the Gaza Strip on Monday,
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres urged both
sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to show restraint.
“The Secretary-General is profoundly alarmed by the sharp
escalation of violence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and
the high number of Palestinians killed and injured in the Gaza
protests,” said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq in a statement.
“Israel security forces must exercise maximum restraint in the
use of live fire. Hamas and the leaders of the demonstrations
have a responsibility to prevent all violent actions and
provocations,” the statement added.
According to media reports, more than 50 Palestinians were killed
and more than 2,000 wounded in Gaza – the Palestinian enclave
occupied by Israel, as the Israeli army fired live ammunition and
tear gas at protesters assembled along the fence with Israel.
It was the highest Palestinian death toll in a single day since
Hamas-led demonstrations began along the border fence on March
30; and the highest number of casualties inflicted since the 2014
conflict with Israel inside Gaza.
During the six-weeks of demonstrations which organizers have
called “the Great March of Return,” thousands of Palestinians
have converged at the border to protest the long-standing
blockade of the enclave. Israel has accused Hamas, Islamic Jihad
and other militants of using the protests – involving women,
children, and elderly civilians - as a pretext to infiltrate
Israel and carry out terrorist attacks.
In the Monday’s march, many Palestinians were protesting the
official move of the United States embassy, from Tel Aviv to
Jerusalem.
The UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the
Palestinian People does not recognize Israel’s claim that the
entire city of Jerusalem is its capital.
The Committee considers that the status of Jerusalem must be
settled through negotiations that take account of the political
and religious concerns of all sides.
“With tensions high and more demonstrations expected in the
coming days, it is imperative that everyone show the utmost
restraint to avoid further loss of life, including ensuring that
all civilians and particularly children are not put in harm’s
way,” said the Deputy UN Spokesperson.
“The ongoing violence underscores the urgent need for a political
solution. The Secretary-General reiterates that there is no
viable alternative to the two-state solution, with Palestine and
Israel living side by side in peace, each with its capital in
Jerusalem,” he added.
Meanwhile, the UN body monitoring implementation of the
convention on eliminating racial discrimination has urged Israel,
which is a State party, to immediately end the disproportionate
use of force against Palestinian demonstrators in the Gaza Strip,
refrain from any act that could lead to further casualties and
ensure prompt and unimpeded access to medical treatment for those
injured.
The body – known as the Committee on the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination - also urged Israel to initiate an impartial and
independent investigation into the use of force against
Palestinian demonstrators and ensure that all Palestinians under
its effective control, enjoy full rights under the Convention,
without discrimination.
