United Nations, May 12: UN secretary general Kofi Annan has urged Israelis and Palestinians to end the violence that started yesterday, which left several Palestinians, including children and at least six Israeli soldiers dead. "The Secretary General is deeply disturbed by the alarming violence in Gaza City," and "urges both sides to desist from further violence," his spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters last night.
"The Secretary-General is particularly concerned by the heavy fighting in densely populated neighbourhoods, which is exposing more Palestinian civilians to death and injury," he said.
"He urges both sides to desist from further violence and instead to heed the calls of the quartet and the international community to resume negotiations to end the conflict," he added.
Palestinians militants blew up an Israeli troop transport yesterday, killing all six crew members in fierce Gaza City clashes that also left seven Palestinians dead and scores injured.
Bureau Report