Security Council slams Gaza aid raid

The UN Security Council has condemned Israel’s deadly attack on a Gaza-bound aid convoy, demanding the immediate release of the ships and the civilians onboard.

The Security Council condemned “those acts which resulted in the loss of at least 10 civilians and many wounded,” AFP quoted a statement by the Council’s President.

The UN body further called for the immediate release of all ships and civilians held by Israel, urging an impartial investigation into the Israeli attack against the aid flotilla.

“The Security Council took note of the statement of the UN Secretary General on the need to have a full investigation into the matter and it calls for a prompt, impartial, credible and transparent investigation conforming to international standards,” the statement said.

The 15-nation body started an emergency session on Monday after Turkey called for a meeting on the Israeli attack on Gaza Freedom Flotilla.

The Israeli navy launched a pre-dawn attack on the six-ship aid convoy, which was carrying humanitarian assistance to Gaza, in international waters in the Mediterranean Sea, 150km (90 miles) from Gaza.

The operation killed at least 20 people on board the ships, mostly Turkish nationals, and left about 50 others injured, according to Palestinian sources.