Reacting To Deaths In Gaza, UN Envoy Calls On Israel To Protect Civilians
Voicing deep concern over the continuing violence in the Gaza Strip, the senior United Nations envoy for the Middle East
today deplored deaths during the renewed military operation in Khan Younis and called on Israel to respect international
law.
The move into the area by Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) which began over the weekend left at least 17 Palestinians dead,
including an 11-year-old child, while more than 65 others have been reported injured, several critically. In addition,
25 homes have been demolished and some three dozen acres of land levelled.
In a statement issued in Jerusalem, Terje Roed-Larsen, the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process,
called on Israel to act under the framework of international law, most critically in the protection of civilians,
property and infrastructure.
He also reiterated his firm belief “that there exists no military solution to the conflict and that the only way forward
is the implementation of the Road Map [peace plan] and an immediate return to of the parties to the negotiating table.”