UN's Ban voices concern about potential aid flotillas to Gaza

[News_Editor]

UN's Ban voices concern about potential aid flotillas to Gaza

2011-05-28 07:10:49 GMT+7 (ICT)

UNITED NATIONS (BNO NEWS) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Friday expressed concern about potential flotillas to Gaza and asked countries around the Mediterranean Sea to discourage their use to deliver assistance to the territory.

"The Secretary-General called on all Governments concerned to use their influence to discourage such flotillas, which carry the potential to escalate into violent conflict," a statement released by UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky said.

"He further called on all, including the Government of Israel, to act responsibly and with caution to avoid any violent incident."

In his letter to the governments of the countries around the Mediterranean Sea, Mr. Ban expressed his belief "that assistance and goods destined to Gaza should be channelled through legitimate crossings and established channels."

Mr. Ban also urged Israel to end the blockade on Gaza, which Israel imposed for what it called security reasons after Hamas ousted the Fatah movement in the Strip in 2007.

"The Secretary-General reiterated that, while he believed that flotillas were not helpful in resolving the basic economic problems in Gaza, the situation there remains unsustainable," the statement added.

On 31 May 2010, Israel raided a six-ship convoy in international waters that was carrying humanitarian goods and activists heading for Gaza. Nine Turkish activists were killed and at least 30 others were injured, causing global outrage for what some said was unnecessary violence.

A fact-finding mission appointed by the UN Human Rights Council following the incident ruled in September that Israel used "totally unnecessary violence" and an "unacceptable level of brutality."

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