Foreign Secretary condemns Gaza killings – UK FCO press release/Non-UN document

FOREIGN SECRETARY CONDEMNS GAZA KILLINGS (21/06/06)

The Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett today condemned the Israeli air strike which yesterday caused civilian deaths in Northern Gaza. She said:

'I was gravely concerned to hear of the death of three children in Gaza on 20 June, as well as a number of civilian injuries, as a result of an Israeli Defence Forces airstrike. I send my deepest condolences to their families.

'As I have said before, the killing of innocent civilians, and particularly children, is completely unacceptable. The continuing violence on both sides, and the tragic death of a number of children and civilians in Gaza and West Bank in recent weeks, is making the prospect of a negotiated, peaceful resolution more distant.

'We strongly urge maximum restraint by the Israeli military to avoid further escalation of an already very tense situation. We call on the Israeli authorities to respect their obligations under international law and ensure that civilians, particularly children, are not harmed. In addition we call for an immediate halt to all rocket fire from the Gaza Strip on Israeli targets.'