The 15-nations Council on Tuesday condemned the Israeli attacks on a humanitarian flotilla bound for Gaza and requested "the immediate release of the ships as well as the civilians held by Israeal."
The condemnation was contained in a presidential statement adopted by the Security Council, which met in an emergency meeting at the request of Lebanon, Turkey and Palestine. The meeting kicked off on Monday afternoon and dragged on into Tuesday.
As the council meeting was under way, the secretary-general expressed his shock at the deadly military interception on boats loaded with relief supplies headed for Gaza, calling on Israel to fully explain its actions.
"I condemn this violence," Ban said from Kampala, Uganda, where he presided over the first review conference of the International Criminal Court (ICC).
"It is vital that there is a full investigation to determine exactly how this bloodshed took place," he said. "I believe Israel must urgently provide a full explanation."
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