Annan expresses concern over Israeli operation in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan issued a statement Friday expressing concern over Israel's recent operations in Gaza.

The UN "urges Israel to exercise maximum restraint, do their utmost to protect civilians and to refrain from further escalating an already grave situation," the statement said. Annan also calle on Palestinians to stop firing rockets against Israeli civilian targets. (Yitzhak Benhorin, Washington)