United Nations Radio

Even as the fighting continues in Gaza, the UN Security Council gathered to discuss the issue of protecting civilians during armed conflict. For many of the Ambassadors who addressed the meeting the current events in Gaza took center stage. Reports for the region indicate that over one thousand Palestinians and at least 13 Israelis, four by 'friendly fire, have been killed since the fighting began on December 27th. Israel's Ambassador to the UN, Gabriela Shalev says it is the terrorist acts of Hamas that are to blame for the casualties. Meanwhile, Dr. Riyad Mansour, the Permanent Observer of Palestine to the UN says the collective punishment of Palestinians over the past 19 months has significantly contributed to the creation of the current crisis.
Cuts and the full audio of the Israeli Ambassador and the Palestinian Observer are available below