UNITED NATIONS, Nov 3: Expressing deep concern at the rising death toll from Israeli operations in northern Gaza, United Nations Secretary-General Kofi
Annan on Friday urged Israel to refrain from “further escalating an already grave situation” and called on Palestinian militants to stop firing rockets at Israeli civilian targets.
“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,” Mr Annan said in a statement issued by his spokesman.
“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.”
