Israeli Actions Must Not 'Largely' Affect Civilians: EU Presidency
"Launching land operations by the Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip is not surprising, there were indications that Israel had been considering this step," Czech Foreign Minister Karel Schwarzenberg, whose country holds the EU presidency, said in a statement.
"But even the indisputable right of the state to defend itself does not allow actions which largely affect civilians," he stressed.
"We call for the facilitation of humanitarian aid to the inhabitants of the Gaza Strip, and... for the establishment of a ceasefire," added Schwarzenberg.
Israeli tanks rolled into Gaza on Saturday and engaged in night-time battles with Hamas forces after more than a week of air strikes that left hundreds of Palestinians dead and widespread destruction.
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Publié le 03 janvier 2009 Copyright © 2009 Dowjones
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