WASHINGTON – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon issued a statement on Thursday condemning "the ongoing rocket and mortar attacks by militant groups, including Hamas, from Gaza against crossing points and Israeli civilian targets, which caused the death of an Israeli civilian and four casualties today."
Ban called on "Hamas and other militant groups to cease such acts," saying the attacks "have detrimental implications for the Palestinian civilian population in Gaza."
In the same statement the secretary-general also denounced "the death of a Palestinian child and the injury of its mother in Gaza as the result of Israeli Air Force fire.
"While recognizing Israel’s right to self-defense, the Secretary-General calls upon Israel to exercise maximum restraint, and reminds the IAF and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of their responsibility to protect civilians under international humanitarian law during military operations," wrote Ban.
Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Dan Gillerman, launched a formal complain to UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and the UN Security Council over the mortar shell barrage that killed 51-year-old Amnon Rosenberg, a father of three.
"Excellency, the killing of an Israeli civilian this morning and the attack on Nahal Oz yesterday underscore the malicious and murderous intentions of Hamas. It is a terrorist organization that has no compassion or
concern for civilians, neither Israeli nor Palestinian. Hamas’ commitment to violence and disregard for the Palestinian people are reminders that it has no interest in peace nor is it suited for engagement with the international community," wrote Gillerman.
"Israel will not stand idly by as its citizens are subjected to indiscriminate and lethal rocket attacks. Israel will defend itself, as any other nation would, in accordance with its inherent right under article 51 of the United Nations Charter."
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