UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan voiced his shock and dismay on Wednesday at Israel's deadly shelling of a residential area in the occupied Gaza Strip.

In a statement issued by his spokesman, Annan said he was shocked to learn about the Israeli military operation carried out early Wednesday in a residential area in Beit Hanoun, which has resulted in the deaths of at least 18 Palestinians, including eight children and seven women.

He reminded both sides of their obligations under international humanitarian law regarding the protection of civilians in armed conflict.

The secretary-general reiterated his call to the Israeli government to cease its military operations in Gaza without delay and called on the Palestinian side to also halt attacks against Israeli targets.

He further took note of the reported announcement by the Israeli Government of a full investigation into this latest incident and looked forward to its early results.

Meanwhile, the Security Council is to hold on Thursday an emergency meeting on the mounting bloodshed in the Gaza Strip at the request of Palestine.

Source: Xinhua