Israel condemned over Gaza operations

The UN secretary general and the British Foreign Secretary joined the chorus of international condemnation at the conduct of Israeli Defence Force (IDF) operations within the Gaza Strip.

In the latest incident, 10 Palestinian protesters, including children, were killed when Israeli troops fired 'warning shots' close to a crowd of demonstrators in southern Gaza yesterday.

According to the IDF, gunmen were among the demonstrators as it left central Rafah yesterday. When the crowd drew near IDF forces at Tel-Sultan, a single warning shot - a missile - was fired from a helicopter into an open area, not towards the demonstrators, an IDF spokesperson said. Tanks then fired four rounds into an abandoned building to force the protesters back. The Palestinians were killed during this exchange.

Jack Straw voiced his "profound concern" at the deaths, saying: "I understand those killed were protesting against the demolition of Palestinian homes, a practice which I have already condemned. I call upon both sides to exercise restraint and refrain from violence. While Israel has a right to defend itself it must act in accordance with international law."

Also speaking yesterday, Secretary-General Kofi Annan said that he had been in contact with US Secretary of State Colin Powell and US National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice to express his wish to see the situation in the area brought under control.

Speaking shortly after the, Mr Annan said: "I also had a call from [Palestinian Authority] Chairman Yasser Arafat… appealing for assistance from the international community, and pleading with the UN and the international community to do something, and indicating that the civilians are under threat, and that this morning's attack killed many children and women."

The Secretary-General also stressed Israel's obligation "as an occupying power for the protection of civilians". He said the destruction of houses has added greater burden on the population and created very difficult circumstances under which UNRWA must work.

A UN Security Council resolution adopted yesterday expressed "grave concern" regarding the humanitarian situation of Palestinians made homeless in the Rafah area. The motion was carried with 14 of the 15 members voting in favour. The US, a close ally of the Israeli position within the council, abstained from the vote.

The IDF has expressed its "deep sorrow" at the Palestinian deaths, and has pledged to carry out a full investigation.

At this stage it is difficult to determine the cause of the deaths, the spokesperson said, as the road had been rigged with explosive devices by Palestinian militants. However, the IDF conceded that it was possible that the causalities were a result of the tank fire on the abandoned structure.

"The IDF activity in the area is being conducted in an attempt to reduce the danger for the operating forces, and avoid the harming of innocent civilians," a spokesperson said.

The IDF has contacted the Palestinians and offered medical assistance, including the evacuation of the casualties to Israeli hospitals.

The Israeli military is in the area as it believes Rafah is a gateway for weapons smuggling from nearby Egypt.

(gmcg)