Most UN Security Council members denounce Israeli killing of 15 medics, rescuers in Gaza

By Merve Aydogan

HAMILTON, Canada (AA) - The majority of UN Security Council members on Thursday denounced the killing of 15 humanitarian workers and rescuers in Gaza, while the US blamed Hamas "solely" for the hostilities.

"I join others in expressing sincere condolences for the humanitarian workers who lost their lives in this conflict," said US Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Dorothy Shea, claiming that all of the killings "would have been avoided had Hamas accepted the bridge proposal on the table last month."

Shea claimed that "Hamas’ reckless decisions have caused enough bloodshed" and argued that the Palestinian resistance group has "no right to represent Palestinians anywhere and must leave Gaza."

"The Council should speak with one voice to apply pressure on Hamas for the first time to act in the interests of the Palestinian people they purport to represent and not in the interests of their own selfish ends," she said.

Algeria’s envoy to the UN, Amar Bendjama, emphasized the "immense suffering endured by the Palestinian people and the barbarity they are subjected to."

"This is a collective punishment. This is a war crime," he said.

Noting that they have requested an emergency meeting of the Security Council following the killing of 15 humanitarian aid and health care workers, Bendjama said: "We firmly believe that this Council must speak with clarity and strength. This Council must fully embrace its responsibilities. This Council must ensure the implementation of its own decision."

"Failure to do so will result in the loss of any remaining authority, any remaining legitimacy," he warned.

Describing the situation in Gaza as "the deadliest conflict" for aid workers and journalists, Bendjama said: "Killing became the daily routine of Gazans while the international community watches a genocide."

- Hope in Gaza Strip 'almost non-existent'

Dmitry Polyanskiy, Russia's deputy envoy, argued that hope for the enclave is "almost non-existent" due to Israel's relentless bombings.

"We express sincere condolences to all of those that have been killed, and we wish a swift recovery to those affected," he said.

Polyanskiy stressed that Israeli forces targeting so-called safe zones that were established by Israel is a "blatant disregard for the norms of international humanitarian law."

On Israel's recent killing of humanitarian workers and rescuers, he said: "These sorts of actions can have no justification," calling for their condemnation.

Chinese envoy Fu Cong said that "renewing hostilities will only lead to more killing and hatred and in no way represents the right approach to free the hostages."

"Recently, Israel announced its plans to expand the ground offensive and occupy Gaza territory," he said, expressing “serious concern about this development” and urging Israel to immediately halt its military operations in Gaza.

UK envoy Barbara Woodward described Israel's killing of medical personnel as "an outrage," saying: "We expect this incident to be investigated fully, transparently and for those responsible to be held to account."

"Aid workers should not have to risk their lives to help those in need. So we urge Israel to cooperate with the UN fact-finding mission into the hit on a UN compound on the 19th of March, to conduct thorough investigations into all incidents involving aid workers and medical personnel and ensure accountability for those responsible," she said.

- Israeli killing of medics, aid workers 'erosion of humanity'

Woodward further condemned remarks by an Israeli official about the annexation of land in Gaza.

"There must be no forced displacement of Palestinians or reduction in the territory of Gaza," she said.

Slovenia's envoy Samuel Zbogar also denounced Israel's killings and described it as an "erosion of humanity."

"We cannot choose to believe these were simply mistakes. Slovenia condemns all attacks on all humanitarian, medical and UN personnel. They must be protected and supported in their missions. We call on Israel to re-establish the humanitarian notification and deconfliction mechanism," he said.

Demanding an end to such attacks, Zbogar called them "a war crime” that “must be prosecuted accordingly."