Statement attributable to the Spokesman for the Secretary-General on the Middle East

The Secretary-General strongly deplores Israel's continuing raids in the Gaza Strip. These have already killed at least twelve people in the course of yesterday and today, including a four-year-old girl shot in the chest and a young American peace activist run over by a bulldozer. He sends his deepest condolences to the families of the innocent victims.

The Secretary-General is especially troubled that Israel appears to be flouting a central tenet of international humanitarian law, which requires it to take all possible measures to protect the civilian population during military operations.