SECRETARY-GENERAL, DISMAYED BY ISRAELI SHELLING IN GAZA, SAYS SOLUTION TO CONFLICT WILL NOT BE FOUND THROUGH VIOLENCE, RETALIATION

SECRETARY-GENERAL, DISMAYED BY ISRAELI SHELLING IN GAZA, SAYS SOLUTION TO CONFLICT

WILL NOT BE FOUND THROUGH VIOLENCE, RETALIATION

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General deplores the deepening spiral of violence between Israel and the Palestinians.  He is dismayed at Israel’s shelling yesterday of facilities belonging to the Palestinian Authority in Gaza near civilian areas with bombs of heavy tonnage, which caused substantial damage to United Nations offices and injury to two United Nations employees.

The Secretary-General reiterates his belief that no solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict will be found through violence and retaliation.  Both sides must make every effort to achieve a durable ceasefire and return to the negotiating table, as there is no alternative to a political solution of this conflict.

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