Ban condemned the firing of rockets from
A statement issued by his office said Ban “has condemned the recent rocket fire from Palestinian militants which hit a school bus and injured two Israeli civilians. He calls for an immediate end to rocket fire.”
In addition, “The Secretary-General is also concerned at reports of civilian casualties from Israeli operations in
Ban called for “maximum restraint,” urging “respect for international humanitarian law” and for “de-escalation and calm to prevent any further bloodshed.”
European Union foreign policy chief, Catherine Ashton, had also strongly condemned the rocket attacks from the Gaza strip at southern Israeli town, expressing deep concern at the current escalation of violence.
In a statement issued in Brussels Friday, Ashton said that she “strongly condemns” the mortar and rocket attacks out of the Gaza Strip, “which once again hit the innocent civilian population and which must stop immediately.”
She said she also “deplores the loss of civilian life in Gaza,” calling on Israel “to show restraint.”
Ashton said that “the lives of civilians must be spared everywhere and in all circumstances. Only an immediate cessation of all violence can bring back the calm necessary to allow for a lasting truce in the Gaza strip.”
M.A.
