DEPLORING ISRAELI AIR ATTACK IN GAZA, SECRETARY-GENERAL EXPRESSES

CONCERN OVER ‘POSSIBLE CONSEQUENCES’ OF ACT

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

The Secretary-General deplores the Israeli air attack that took place late tonight in the Gaza Strip, reportedly leaving 10 persons dead and more than

100 injured, including women and children.

Israel has the legal and moral responsibility to take all measures to avoid the loss of innocent life; it clearly failed to do so in using a missile against an apartment building.  The Secretary-General calls on the Government of Israel to halt such actions and to conduct itself in a manner that is fully consistent with international humanitarian law.

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the possible consequences of this attack, and urges the Government of Israel and the Palestinian Authority to do all in their power to restore safety and security for the civilian population on both sides.

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