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Annan Deplores Israeli Attack, Fears Consequences
Last Updated: September 26, 2002 11:03 PM ET
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan deplores Thursday's Israeli missile attack in Gaza City that killed two Palestinians and wounded more than 25 others and is very worried about possible consequences, his spokesman said.
Annan "calls on the government of Israel to halt such actions and conduct itself in a manner that is fully consistent with international humanitarian law, under which Israel has a clear responsibility to protect the lives of civilians," chief U.N. spokesman Fred Eckhard said.
The attack, in which missiles were fired from helicopters, took place in a heavily populated civilian area and at least a dozen children were among those wounded, Eckhard said.
Mohammad Deif, the commander of the military wing of the Islamic group Hamas and the apparent target of the attack, was injured but his life was not in danger, Hamas sources told Reuters.
Israeli security sources, however, said Deif was believed dead.
The attack came three days after the 15-nation U.N. Security Council approved a resolution demanding "the complete cessation of all acts of violence, including all acts of terror, provocation, incitement and destruction." in the Middle East.
The resolution, approved 14-0 with the United States abstaining, also underlined the need to protect civilians.
"The secretary-general is deeply concerned about the possible consequences of this attack," Eckhard said. |
