MID: UN chief condemns rocket attacks on Israel
21 Jan 2009 2:18 AM
SDEROT, Israel, Jan 20 AP - UN chief Ban Ki-moon has harshly criticised Palestinian rocket attacks on southern Israel.
During a trip to the rocket-scarred Israeli town of Sderot, Ban called the rocket fire "appalling and unacceptable."
Ban says the projectiles are indiscriminate weapons, and Hamas attacks are violations of basic humanitarian law. However, he also urged Israel to end its crippling blockade of Gaza. He says the embargo will only strengthen Hamas by fuelling desperation in impoverished Gaza.
Ban was touring Israel and Gaza on Tuesday in the wake of a deadly Israeli offensive in Gaza. Israel launched the operation to end years of rocket fire on Sderot and other southern towns.
