United Nations, Oct 28: UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and his senior envoy for the Middle East have deplored Israel's continuing demolition of Palestinian-owned buildings as "illegal," especially the destruction of three 13-storey buildings in the Gaza Strip last night. "The Secretary-General continues to follow with great concern the ongoing cycle of violence between Israelis and Palestinians," a spokesperson for Annan told reporters yesterday.

"He deplores all acts that fuel and intensify the conflict. The Secretary-General reminds the Israeli authorities that house demolitions amount to collective punishment, which is a clear violation of international humanitarian law."

During the past month, 2,000 people have become homeless as Israel destroyed some 200 buildings in the Gaza Strip, spokesperson Marie Okabe said. In that context, the Secretary-General deplored the destruction by the Israeli military of three 13-storey buildings in the Gaza Strip on Saturday night. Terje Roed-Larsen, special coordinator for the Middle East peace process, said the punitive destruction last night of the buildings, "owned by families of Palestinian security personnel," violated international law.

"Such actions are also counterproductive towards Israel's legitimate security concerns, for they foster anger and despair among Palestinians," he said in a statement.

Bureau Report