EUR: World powers call for peace after deadly Gaza air strikes
28 Dec 2008 1:13 AM
BRUSSELS, Dec 27 AFP - Major world powers called for an immediate end to violence after massive and deadly Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip on Saturday and rocket attacks by Palestinian militants.
The European Union, the bloc's current president France, Britain and Russia urged both sides to stop the fighting, the United States said Israel should avoid civilian casualties, while in the Middle East the Arab League and its members singled out Israel for blame.
The French EU presidency "expresses greatest concern at the escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip and deplores the very large number of civilian victims", Brussels said.
"It condemns the Israeli bombardments as well as the firing of rockets from Gaza. It demands their immediate halt. It condemns the disproportionate use of force."
A spokesman for EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana earlier in the day said: "We are very concerned by the events in Gaza."
"We are calling for an immediate ceasefire and the maximum restraint. Everything must be done to reinstate the truce" declared by the Palestinian Hamas movement controlling Gaza, which expired on December 19.
Stressing there was no military solution possible in Gaza, the French statement called for a lasting truce and encouraged "the efforts of neighbouring countries, in particular Egypt, which can enable this objective to be attained".
It also urged for all crossing points out of Gaza to be reopened and deliveries of aid and fuel to be resumed, as well as free access for international humanitarian organisations, journalists and diplomats, which Israel has blocked.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy issued a similar statement in Paris, saying he "strongly condemns the irresponsible provocations which led to this situation as well as the disproportionate use of force".
Sarkozy "deplores the heavy civilian losses and expresses his condolences to the innocent victims and their families," the statement said.
The Palestinian Hamas group which controls the Gaza Strip said at least 155 Palestinians were killed in massive Israeli air strikes following days of rocket fire from Palestinian militants against Israel.
Hamas said it had retaliated with more rockets, which Israeli medics said killed at least one person in the southern town of Netivot.
In London a Foreign Office spokesman said: "We are deeply concerned by the reports of deaths and injuries of innocent civilians in the Gaza Strip following the recent Israeli air strikes.
"We urge maximum restraint to avoid further civilian casualties."
Russia's foreign ministry said Moscow "believes it is necessary to halt immediately the large-scale acts of force against the Gaza Strip, which have already caused considerable victims and suffering amongst the Palestinian population.
"At the same time, we call on the leadership of Hamas to stop firing rocket on Israeli territory," it said, adding that the most important priority was for the parties to restore a truce.
"The United States urges Israel to avoid civilian casualties as it targets Hamas in Gaza," US National Security Council spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in Waco, as US president George W Bush closed out the year on his Texas ranch.
"Hamas' continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people," Johndroe said.
Amr Mussa, secretary-general of the Cairo-based Arab League, called for an emergency meeting on Sunday of foreign ministers of Arab countries "to discuss the Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip".
He also asked Libya, as a member of the United National security council, to organise an emergency meeting of the council on the subject of the Israeli raids.
An official in Tripoli said Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi had contacted Arab leaders to seek a "firm and serious position after the butchery which took place today in Gaza".
Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak said: "Egypt condemns the Israeli military aggression on the Gaza Strip and blames Israel, as an occupying force, for the victims and the wounded."
He ordered the Rafah crossing point between Egypt and Gaza to be opened for wounded Palestinians to be evacuated "so they can receive the necessary treatment in Egyptian hospitals".
In Amman the royal palace said King Abdullah of Jordan had been in touch with Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas and with Mubarak to "launch an Arab and international initiative aimed at ending the Israeli aggression".
