France expressed on Sunday deep concern over “Israeli military response to Palestinian demonstrations on the Gaza-Israel border that killed at least 15.”
“France reminds the Israeli authorities of their duty to protect civilians and urges them to show the greatest restraint” a Foreign Ministry spokeswoman said in a statement.
“France also highlights the Palestinians’ right to peacefully demonstrate” she added.
About 17 Palestinians were killed and over 1400 injured on the first day of the Great March of Return on Friday.
The coordination committee of the Great March of Return in February announced its intention to launch major popular demonstrations in the Palestinian territories in demand of the Palestinian refugees’ right of return stipulated in international resolutions especially Resolution 194.
Israel’s army minister rejected calls for an independent investigation by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres Federica Mogherini the European Union’s foreign policy chief and other leaders.
