United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon on Wednesday expressed grave concern at the mounting violence in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel and urged all parties to show restraint.
“The secretary general is gravely concerned at the escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel,” his press office said in a statement.
“He urges all parties to exercise restraint.”
Three Israeli soldiers and 17 Palestinians, one a cameraman for Reuters news agency, were killed on Wednesday as troops backed by helicopters stormed into the Gaza Strip.
The UN statement said Ban condemns the violence that reportedly caused civilian casualties, including children, during Israeli military operations.
It said the UN chief “calls on Israel to abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law and human rights law” and “also reiterates his condemnation of rocket fire against Israeli civilian targets”. — AFP