United Nations, May 20: Condemning the killing of Palestinian demonstrators by Israeli forces in Rafah refugee camp in southern Gaza, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan has asked Tel Aviv to immediately end its operations in the area. As the international outrage against the killing of Palestinian civilians and demolition of homes in the camp by the Israeli forces mounted, Annan yesterday discussed the situation with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and national Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice as also measures needed to bring it under control.

"I also had a call from (Palestinian authority) chairman Yasser Arafat`appealing for assistance from the international community, and pleading with the UN and the international community to do something, and indicating that the civilians are under threat," he told reporters.

"The killing of peaceful demonstrators, many of them women and children (by Israeli forces in Rafah), has distressed the secretary-general, who sends his deepest condolences and sympathies to the families of the victims," his spokesman, Fred Eckhard.

Annan, he said, has repeatedly warned Israel through his Middle East envoy Terje Roaed-Larsen that Tel Aviv must abide by its obligations as an occupying power which include protecting the civilians population and "eschewing the disproportionate or indiscriminate use of force."


The Secretary General said that the destruction of houses has added greater burden on the population and created very difficult circumstances under which the UN must work.


Bureau Report