Secretary-General gravely concerned at escalating violence in Gaza

Following is a statement attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is gravely concerned at the escalation of violence and the rising toll of casualties on both sides in the Gaza Strip and adjacent Israeli areas in the past 24 hours.  He especially mourns the death and injuries of children.  The Secretary-General remains deeply convinced that there is no military solution to this conflict.  He urges both parties immediately to cease all forms of violence, to act in strict compliance with their obligations under the Road Map and international law and to renew their search for a peaceful solution to the conflict.

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