United tions, March 31: UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an independent and transparent investigation into the violent clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians in Gaza killing 16 protesters. The UN chief on Friday appealed to those concerned to refrain from any act that could lead to further casualties and, in particular, any measures that could place civilians in harm’s way, Guterres’ deputy spokesman Farhan Haq said in a statement.