SECRETARY-GENERAL CONDEMNS ROCKET FIRE BY PALESTINIAN MILITANTS TARGETING ISRAEL,

SAYS PUNITIVE MEASURES BY ISRAEL AGAINST GAZA UNACCEPTABLE

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General reiterates his call for the cessation of indiscriminate rocket attacks by Palestinian militants targeting Israel, and strongly condemns these actions.  However, he also believes strongly that punitive measures taken by Israel, which harm the well-being of the entire population of the Gaza Strip, are unacceptable.  The limitation of fuel and electricity supplies deepens the humanitarian distress of the 1.4 million residents of Gaza, as does the reduction of the supply of essential commodities and the tightening of restrictions on movement and access.  The Secretary-General calls upon Israel to reconsider its actions and for all concerned to protect civilians and to meet their obligations under international law.

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For information media • not an official record