UN chief says killing of people seeking aid in Gaza could require independent investigation

GENEVA - United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Feb 29 said

the killing of more than 100 people seeking humanitarian aid in Gaza

was a situation that would require an effective independent investigation.

Speaking in St Vincent and the Grenadines ahead of a regional summit, Mr Guterres said he was “shocked” by the latest episode in the Israeli offensive.

Responding to questions on the

failure of a recent Security Council resolution seeking a ceasefire,

Mr Guterres said worsening geopolitical divides have “transformed the veto power into an effective instrument of paralysis of the action of the Security Council”.

“I am totally convinced that we need a humanitarian ceasefire, and we need the unconditional and immediate release of hostages and that we should have a Security Council able to achieve these objectives,” Mr Guterres said.

Israel’s current offensive in Gaza has killed over 30,000 people, according to the enclave’s Health Ministry. The assault is

in response to a Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct 7.

Around 1,200 people were killed that day and some 250 taken hostage, according to Israeli tallies. REUTERS