BRUSSLES, November 9, 2006, (WAFA)- Foreign Minister of Belgium, Mr. Karel De Gucht expressed Wednesday his "shock" by the Israeli massacre in the northern Gaza Strip city of Beit Hanoun.

"I'm shocked by the night's tragic events, which once again claimed civilian victims in the Gaza Strip," he said in a press release.

"I condemn the haphazard artillery fire aimed at residential areas, a practice that violates current rules of international law," Minister De Gucht Said.

Mr. De Gucht asserted that Israel's actions must be proportional and respect humanitarian law.

He appealed to all the parties to the conflict to show a sense of responsibility.

"A fresh escalation of the situation must be avoided. Given the current, tense situation, any action that effectively complicates the quest for a political solution has to be avoided at all costs, I would also like to offer my condolences to the families of the victims," the minister concluded.

S.A.S. (21:12 P) (19:12 GMT)