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UN chides world leaders over Gaza violence United Nations, December 30 In his third statement in three days on Gaza, where Israeli air strikes aimed at stopping rocket fire from the territory against southern Israel have killed more than 325 Palestinians, Ban again called for an immediate ceasefire by both sides. At a news conference, he reiterated that he recognised Israel’s right to self-defence, but regarded its use of force as ‘excessive.’ Three Israelis have been killed by rocket fire by Gaza militants. “I think regional and international partners have not done enough. They should do more,” Ban said yesterday. “They should use all possible means to end the violence and encourage political dialogue, emphasising peaceful ways of resolving differences.” Arab League foreign ministers are due to meet tomorrow in Egypt to try to agree a common position on Gaza. “I urge them to act swiftly and decisively to bring an early end to this impasse,” Ban said. “At the same time, other world leaders must also step up efforts to support a longer term resolution of the issue.” The UN chief said he was “deeply alarmed” by the rising violence between Israel and the Hamas Islamist group that controls Gaza, adding, “This is unacceptable.” “All this must stop. Both Israel and Hamas must halt their acts of violence and take all necessary measures to avoid civilian casualties. A ceasefire must be declared immediately. Palestinian ambassador Riyad Mansour said the Arab envoys had been promised that “certain practical things” would be done. He gave no details, but said he hoped Israel would be “brought into compliance” within 24 hours. But Israel’s defence minister said on Monday his country was engaged in “an all-out war against Hamas and its kind” and the Jewish state’s UN ambassador said this involved ending its ability to harm Israelis. Asked about a published report quoting her as saying Israel aimed to destroy Hamas, ambassador Gabriela Shalev said: “What I meant is that the goal is this time to destroy the infrastructure of the Hamas and capabilities to continue shooting rockets, mortars and making a hell the life of quarter of a million people in Israel.” UN humanitarian chief John Holmes said while Israel had been letting some relief supplies into Gaza, with 60 truckloads entering on Monday, that was “wholly inadequate,” as about 100 truckloads a day of flour or grain alone were needed. Stocks of fuel were “more or less zero,” meaning Gaza’s power plant might have to shut down at any time, while medical supplies were “just about enough to cope,” Holmes said. — Reuters
India condemns Israeli attacks New Delhi, December 30 “This continued use of indiscriminate force is unwarranted and condemnable. The government of India urges utmost restraint so as to give peace a chance as the peace process may well get derailed irreversibly by Israel’s attack in the Gaza strip and continued violence,” a foreign office spokesman said yesterday. India had hoped that military action by Israel against targets in the Gaza strip would abate. But it was disappointing to note that the use of disproportionate force was resulting in a large number of civilian casualties on the one hand and the escalating violence on the other, Vishnu Prakash, the spokesman, said. On Saturday, India said it was closely monitoring the developments that have been unfolding in the Gaza Strip. “While India is aware of the immediate cross-border provocation resulting from rocket attacks particularly against targets in southern Israel, it urges an immediate end to the use of force against Palestinian civilians in the Gaza Strip that has resulted in a large number of casualties. India hopes that on-going efforts within the region to restore peace would be supported,” the foreign office had said. EU foreign ministers meet today
Paris, December 30 “The ministers will look into how the European Union can help ease the current crisis, along with the efforts of the international community, especially the secretary-general of the UN,” the ministry’s statement said. The meeting will be chaired by French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner. Javier Solana, the EU’s high representative for foreign policy and members of the European Commission are also expected to attend. It is likely to be the major ministerial meeting before France passes on the rotating six-month EU presidency to the Czech Republic on Thursday. Romain Nadal, a spokesman for the French foreign ministry, said yesterday that France and other EU countries were ready to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza. French President Nicolas Sarkozy held conversations earlier in the day with his Egyptian counterpart Hosni Mubarak to look for solutions to end the violence in Gaza, a statement from the French EU presidency said. Diplomats said EU members were considering a number of options to resolve the crisis, including renewing its observation mission in Rafah, a town that lies on the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip.
— AFP |
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