UNITED NATIONS, Jan 4: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan said he was gravely concerned about Israeli military operations in the northern Gaza Strip on Tuesday that left eight Palestinians dead.

"He is particularly disturbed that at least five of the victims were under the age of 18," Annan's spokesman said. "The secretary general renews his call on both parties to follow their obligations under international law and in particular to ensure the protection of the civilian population," the spokesman said in a statement.

"He underlines the importance of exercising maximum restraint and responsibility during this critical period before the January 9 Palestinian presidential elections," he said. -AFP