UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 1 -- The UN Security Council on Sunday strongly condemns the "apparent murder" of Kenji Goto by the Islamic State (IS).

In a press statement released here, the Security Council said " this crime is, yet again, a tragic reminder of the increasing dangers journalists and others face every day in Syria."

"The members of the Security Council demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al-Qaeda," said the statement.

Recalling that IS has been included on the Al-Qaeda sanctions list, the council also noted that any individual or entity that provides financial or material support to the group, including the provision of arms or recruits, is eligible to be added to the list and subject to sanctions measures like asset freeze and arms embargo.

In a one-minute video clip purportedly posted by the militant group IS on Saturday, a man believed to be Goto appeared kneeling on the ground, wearing orange jumpsuit. A man clad in black, wielding a knife and wearing a mask, stood to the rear of the hostage.

Both Japanese and U.S. officials were trying to confirm the authenticity of the video, though sources close to the matter have suggested the video is authentic based on previous videos.