UNITED NATIONS, Oct 12: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan on Tuesday expressed deep concern over continuing Israeli military operation in northern Gaza Strip which has resulted in a high toll of deaths and injuries among the civilian population.

In a statement, Mr Annan said he grieved for the many children who had been killed or wounded in those operations and asked Israel "to do the utmost to avoid any harm to Palestinian civilians".

He reiterated that there exists no military solution to the conflict, and called again on both parties to cease all forms of violence and renew their search for a peaceful settlement of the conflict.

Mr Annan also urged the leadership on both sides to pay far greater heed to their obligations under international humanitarian law to protect civilians in armed conflicts.