US blocks call for independent inquiry into Gaza deaths at UN

The United States has blocked a request at the United Nations for an independent inquiry into the deaths of dozens of Palestinians at the Gaza-Israel border yesterday.


"The Security Council expresses its outrage and sorrow at the killing of Palestinian civilians exercising their right to peaceful protest," read a draft of the statement, a copy of which was seen by AFP.

"The Security Council calls for an independent and transparent investigation into these actions to ensure accountability," read the text.

In the bloodiest day in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since a 2014 Gaza war, at least 60 Palestinians were killed and more than 2,200 were wounded.

The violence occurred before Israeli officials and a White House delegation formally opened the United States’ embassy in Jerusalem, and continued throughout the day.

The dead included eight children under the age of 16, according to the Palestinian envoy to the United Nations.

The Gazan health ministry provided the overall death and injury toll.
  (RTE)
 15/5/18
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