UN chief warns of explosive situation in Middle East

UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan warned on Wednesday that the situation in the Middle East could be explosive, and urged the parties in the region to avert further escalation.

In a statement released here by his spokesman, Annan, who is on a visit visit in Ghana, once again condemned the firing of rockets from Gaza into Israel, such as the one which struck a school in the town of Ashkelon on Tuesday.

He also called again on the Israeli government to refrain from actions that amount to collective punishment of Palestinian civilians, and to ensure delivery of fuel, commodities and other essentials into Gaza.

The secretary-general again reminded the Israeli government and the Palestinian Authority of their obligations under international humanitarian law regarding the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure, and called for the immediate release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who is being held by Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip.

"The situation is dangerous and could be explosive," Annan said, urging all parties concerned to step back from the brink.

It is reported that Palestinian militants fired two more rockets at Israeli southern coastal city Ashkelon Wednesday evening, following the first such attack on Tuesday.

Source: Xinhua