UN chief condemns Qassam fire, IDF strikes
Ban Ki-moon issues statement urging Israel to exercise restraint, calling on Hamas to cease terror acts in Strip
WASHINGTON – UN Secretary-General ban Ki-moon condemned Wednesday the Qassam fire on Israel and the killing of four Palestinian children, including a baby, by the IDF.
In a statement issued by Ban's office, the UN chief said he was "deeply concerned at the loss of civilian life in Southern Israel and Gaza, and at the escalation of violence that has taken place today.
"The secretary-general condemns rocket fire against Israel by Hamas, which intensified today and killed an Israeli civilian in Sderot. He calls on Hamas and other militant groups to cease such acts of terrorism," the statement t further stated.
"The secretary-general also condemns the killing of four Palestinian children, including an infant, in Gaza in IDF strikes. He calls on Israel to exercise maximum restraint and ensure respect for international humanitarian law so as not to endanger civilians.
"These events underscore the urgent need for a calming of violence, and must not be allowed to deter the continuation of the political process," he concluded.
