UN LAUNCHES INQUIRY COMMITTEE ON GAZA WAR

Gaza, 19 Muharram 1436/12 November 2014 (MINA) – UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon has established an inquiry committee to investigate “certain incidents” that took place during Israel’s latest war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Farhan Haq, Moon’s deputy spokesperson, announced on Monday.

In a statement published on the UN’s website, Haq said, “The Secretary‑General has established an internal and independent United Nations Headquarters Board of Inquiry into certain incidents that occurred in the Gaza Strip between 8 July and 26 August 2014.”

He noted that the board of inquiry “will review and investigate a number of specific incidents in which death or injuries occurred at, and/or damage was done to United Nations premises,” Middle East Monitor (MEMO) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

In addition, he said, “it will review and investigate incidents in which weapons were found to be present on United Nations premises.”

Regarding the cooperation of both sides in the inquiry, the spokesperson said: “The secretary general expects that the board will enjoy the full cooperation of all parties concerned.”

Meanwhile, the Israeli representative to the UN refused to comment to Anadolu news agency on the decision to launch an inquiry committee.

However, he reportedly told a press conference in New York that he had heard about the inquiry and said that Israel is studying whether or not to cooperate with the committee.

According to the UN official, the board of inquiry will be led by: Patrick Cammaert from the Netherlands, Maria Vicien-Milburn from Argentina, Lee O’Brien from the US, Pierre Lemelin from Canada and KC Reddy from India.(T/P008/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)