SECRETARY-GENERAL DEEPLY CONCERNED BY ESCALATING VIOLENCE, RISING DEATH TOLL

CAUSED BY ISRAELI MILITARY OPERATION IN NORTHERN GAZA

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

The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the continuing escalation of violence and rising death toll caused by the Israeli military operation in northern Gaza.  Military operations in populated areas inevitably cause civilian casualties, and in this operation several civilians have already been killed and wounded, including women and at least one Palestinian child.

The Secretary-General urges Israel to exercise maximum restraint, do their utmost to protect civilians and to refrain from further escalating an already grave situation.   He also calls on Palestinian militants to stop firing rockets against Israeli civilian targets.

All concerned should remember that continuing violence is liable to make the search for a just and lasting peace in the region even more difficult.

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For information media • not an official record