GAZA, May 30 2007, (WAFA)-Chief of Staff Office of the President, Dr. Rafiq Husseini said that Israeli has resumed the targeting of civilians through extrajudicial assassinations and aerial and artillery bombardment of cities and civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip.

In a letter, on behalf of President Mahmoud Abbas, to Mr. Marc Otte,European Union, Mr.david Welch, United States of America, Mr.Michael Williams, United Nations , Mr. Surguey Yakovlev, Russian federation and Representatives of the Quartet, Husseini said that Israel is also, in the west bank, carrying out of a campaign of assassinations, abductions and violent attacks against the Palestinian population, including arrests of senior elected officials.

"Such activities constitute a violation of the law of armed conflict and of Israel's obligations as an occupying power under international humanitarian law," he said.

He added that president Abbas has repeatedly condemned rocket attacks against Israelis and is working tirelessly to bring these violations to an end.

" Israeli closures have crippled movement within the West bank and have led to an increasingly dire economic situation, as detailed in recent World Bank report," according to the letter.

Husseini pointed out since the unilateral evacuation of the Jewish settlements in Gaza, Israel's policy has been to completely isolate the Gaza Strip, adding that this situation has been exacerbated by a crippling financial siege against the democratically elected Palestinian Authority Government.

The recent Israeli military offensive only worsens an already disastrous situation, making it increasingly difficult for the Palestinian Authority to restore order and bring calm to the Gaza Strip.

Husseini said that President Abbas is appealing to the government of Israel to work with him urgently to develop a comprehensive, mutual and simultaneous ceasefire, in line with the benchmarks set out by the US government. Israel has not been forthcoming in acceptance of such offers , however, opting instead for the logic of attacks and incursions.

He made it clear that President takes this opportunity to reiterate the Palestinian commitment to peace, through a negotiated two-state solution to the conflict and that the Arab Peace Initiative offers an historic opportunity for reactivating the political process.

" A mutual cessation of violence is very is the only way to end the cycle of violence and bloodshed and open the way to a political horizon." he said in a letter.

Husseini concluded the letter as saying that "President urges you to use all means at your disposal to help put an end to Israeli bombardment , assassinations and abductions and use your good offices help bring about a mutual ceasefire and then work with all parties to ensure that it can be sustained. This will require urgent steps both in humanitarian, security and political spheres."

M.H.(15:00 P)(12:00 GMT)