Geneva – SABA:
UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed shock on Monday over reports of Palestinians killed and injured while seeking aid in Gaza on Sunday.
In a statement, Guterres called for an independent investigation into the deaths of at least 31 Palestinians near a U.S.-supported aid distribution site in Gaza, after rescue workers blamed the fatalities on Israeli gunfire.
“I am appalled by reports of Palestinians being killed and injured while trying to access aid in Gaza yesterday. It is unacceptable that Palestinians must risk their lives to obtain food,” Guterres said.
He added, “I call for an immediate and independent investigation into these incidents and for those responsible to be held accountable.”
On Sunday, the Civil Defense in Gaza announced that at least 31 people were killed and over 176 wounded by Israeli gunfire near an American aid distribution center, where dozens had gathered amid a catastrophic hunger crisis in the besieged enclave.
Civil Defense spokesperson Mahmoud Basal described the shooting in Rafah, southern Gaza, as a “massacre,” noting that Israeli military vehicles fired at thousands of civilians who had arrived early Sunday at the aid site west of Rafah.