UN chief deplores Gaza assault

[ProgressiveMuslim]

More than 60 Palestinians were killed
on Saturday alone


Ban Ki-moon, the UN secretary-general, has condemned Israel for using "excessive" force in the Gaza Strip and demanded a halt to its offensive after troops killed at least 100 people over five days - more than 60 on Saturday alone.

At least a third of those killed have been children, according to medical sources in Gaza.

Addressing an emergency session of the security council in New York on Sunday, Ban also called on Palestinian fighters to stop firing rockets into Israel.

Ban said: "While recognising Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children ... I call on Israel to cease such attacks."

"I condemn Palestinian rocket attacks and call for the immediate cessation of such acts of terrorism."

In protest against the Israeli offensive, Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian president, has formally suspended all contacts with Israel.

"The negotiations are suspended, as are all contacts on all levels, because in light of the Israeli aggression such communication has no meaning," Nabil Abu Rudeina, an Abbas spokesman, said in a statement.
However, there is no sign that the Israeli government is ready to call off an offensive that took troops deeper into Gaza on Saturday and in larger numbers than at any time since Israel ended a military occupation of Gaza in 2005.

http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/385F4780-0D7E-4144-AEBD-E8B2E0404125.htm

[LARED]

1. Perhaps I missed it, but did the UN Chief deplore the

firing of rockets by Palestinian fighters into Israel before Israel launched its offensive?

Just wondering.

[subsuelo]

2. It's the third sentence in the post

Ban also called on Palestinian fighters to stop firing rockets into Israel.

[LARED]

3. I got that. I asked if the UN chief was deploring

the Palestinian rocket attacks prior to the Israel offensive.

[subsuelo]

4. Yes, he has.

[LeftishBrit]

5. Yes. He did.

He condemned the violence on both sides. I hope he has some influence.