STRASBOUEG, November 16 , 2006, (WAFA)- Members of European Parliament (MEPs) expressed Thursday their deep indignation at the Israeli military operation carried out in Beit Hanoun and in Gaza, and condemn the Israeli army's use of disproportionate action.

In a press release issued Thursday, the House expresses "its deepest condolences and sympathy to the families of the victims of the recent bombing in Beit Hanoun and to all other innocent casualties."

"Parliament called on the Israeli government to halt its military operations in Gaza immediately, and reaffirms that there is no military solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict."

At least 80 Palestinians, including children and women, were killed during the Israeli indiscriminate bombardment of the "operation Autumn Clouds" in Beit Hanoun last week.

The House expressed its deep concern about the possible grave consequences of the current crisis, including further military and terrorist attacks, undermining the fragile political situation in the region as a whole.

Parliament called on the United States Administration to reassess its role in the Quartet and in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with a view to supporting an end to the violence and a new and genuine dialogue between the parties.

The House invited the Quartet (UN, EU, USA and Russia) to act urgently for the resumption of negotiations with and between the parties concerned and full implementation of all parts of the Road Map.

Parliament reitirated that a solution to the Middle East conflict will only be possible through the negotiation of a firm and final peace agreement as set out in the Road Map, without prior conditions, based on the existence of two democratic, sovereign and viable states (Palestine and Israel), living peacefully side by side within secure and recognised international borders, and that the continuing loss of civilian lives is intolerable.

The House supported the EU Presidency's statement urging the Israeli government to cease all provocative activities in the Palestinian territories, including settlement building, the construction of the separation wall in the Palestinian territories, indiscriminate military operations and the demolition of Palestinian homes.

MEPs called on the Commission and the Member States to supply extra medical aid to Palestinian hospitals, in particular in Gaza.

The House called on the Council and the Commission to continue to guarantee, together with the international community, essential humanitarian aid for the Palestinian population. The House calls on the Israeli government urgently to resume the transfer of withheld Palestinian tax and customs revenues.

MEPs called on Israel to lift its economic blockade of Gaza, to facilitate trade between the Palestinian territories, and reiterated their call for the immediate release of the Palestinian ministers and legislators in Israeli custody and of the arrested Israeli soldier.

Parliament called on the Council to make every effort to convene an international peace conference - along the lines of the 1991 Madrid Conference - in order to find a comprehensive, lasting and viable solution to the problems in the area, based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, and considers that a unilateral approach by any of the parties concerned must be rejected.

"MEPs consider the 2002 'Beirut Plan', agreed by the member countries of the League of Arab States, and the Geneva Initiative to be important contributions to the negotiations, which should be duly taken into account," the house concluded.

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