United Nations Secretary- General Kofi Annan on Friday called on all parties in the recent conflicts in Gaza to restrain from any further violent actions to save the lives of all civilians in the region.

He urged Israel to stop immediately its "disproportionate use of force," which has already killed and wounded many civilians, and called for the release of Israeli Army Corporal Gilad Shalit and stop rocket attack against Israel by the Palestinian side.

"These measures are an absolute prerequisite for defusing the tensions which are escalating every day," he said.

He reminded both sides of their responsibilities under international humanitarian law, and urged them to refrain from any attack which may cause loss of civilian life and property

Situation on the Palestinian arena escalated recently as Israel launched the "Summer Rain" military operation in the Gaza Strip after Palestinian militants kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit in a cross-border raid on June 25.

On Friday, three Palestinians were killed by the Israeli army during its continuing an offensive in the Gaza Strip.

Source: Xinhua