US blocks UNSC motion on Gaza Strip events

The motion proposed by Kuwait, a non-permanent member of the UNSC, called for an independent probe into killing Palestinians by the Zionist forces in Gaza Strip on Friday, according to AFP .

In addition to the 16 Palestinians killed, more than 1,400 were wounded, 758 of them by live fire, with the remainder hurt by rubber bullets and tear gas inhalation, according to the Gazan health ministry.

Kuwait, which represents Arab countries on the council, presented the proposed statement, which called for an 'independent and transparent investigation' of the violence. The draft council statement also expressed 'grave concern at the situation at the border.' And it reaffirmed 'the right to peaceful protest' and expressed the council's 'sorrow at the loss of innocent Palestinian lives.'The draft statement was circulated to the council on Friday, but on Saturday the United States raised objections and said it did not support its adoption.

The proposed statement also called 'for respect for international human rights law and international humanitarian law, including protection of civilians,'. Council members 'called upon all sides to exercise restraint and prevent a further escalation,' the draft said. The proposed statement stressed the need to promote peace between Israel and the Palestinians based on a two-state solution.

During the peaceful protests held by Palestinians in Gaza Strip early Friday, Israeli military forces killed 16 Palestinians most of whom under 16 and injured about 1,500 others. This is while none of the protesters was armed.