Annan urges Palestinians, Israelis to take measures to defuse crisis

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan called on both Palestine and Israel on Thursday to take measures to defuse the tension.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Annan cited the current development leading to a new round of crisis, including the continued detention of an Israeli soldier by Palestinian militants, the killing by Palestinian militants of an Israeli civilian, further rocket attacks against Israel, and Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip which have resulted in a serious deterioration in humanitarian conditions.

"He is also concerned that Israel has detained 64 Palestinian officials, cabinet ministers and members of the Legislative Council, who were elected in January," the statement said.

"The Secretary-General calls on the Palestinian Authority to do its utmost to secure the release of the Israeli soldier, and to end rocket attacks against Israel and other action by militants," it added.

He also called on the government of Israel to show restraint, to avoid actions that damages civilian infrastructure and that aggravates the hardship of the Palestinian population, and to abide by international humanitarian law.

"To prevent a further decline in the humanitarian situation, Israel should also act urgently to facilitate the import of essential medical supplies, food stuffs and, particularly, fuel into the Gaza Strip," the statement said.

Source: Xinhua