VIENNA, 9 November 2006, (WAFA)- Foreign Minister of Austria, Ursula Plassnik, expressed Thursday her dismay at Israel's "military action" in the Gaza Strip, which cost the lives of 20 people, among them women and children.

"The Israeli military operations - like the missile bombardment of Israel from the Gaza Strip - must be brought to a halt. Continued violence cannot be the way to win the support of the sorely afflicted population in the Middle East for approaches to peace," said Plassnik.

She expressed her deep sympathy to all those who have lost family members and/or relatives.

"What is imperative now is that the hostilities cease and that both sides renounce violence in order to put an end to the sufferings of innocent people," emphasised Plassnik.

The Foreign Minister of Austria pointed out that the international community and the European Union were prepared to provide long-term support to the parties to the conflict in their renewed quest for peace.

S.A.S. (21:16 P) (19:16 GMT)