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| By: Associated Press |
| Published: July 6, 2006 |
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New Zealand called on Israelis and Palestinians to stop the current violence, during a special session of the U.N. Human Rights Council in Geneva.
Israel sent tanks and troops into Gaza and detained dozens of Palestinian officials last week after Palestinian militants kidnapped an Israeli soldier. The situation has steadily escalated with militants in Gaza firing missiles into Israel and Israeli forces attacking Palestinian targets.
New Zealand's permanent representative on the U.N. Human Rights Council, Don MacKay, said the Hamas leadership of the Palestinian territories must act to rein in the violence.
"It is disastrous that recent events have led to the military wing of Hamas terminating its cease-fire with Israel and we call for it to be resumed," he told the Geneva meeting Wednesday.
Israel says a main goal of the military operation in Gaza continues to be winning freedom for the 19-year-old soldier, Cpl. Gilad Shalit.
MacKay said Shalit should be released, but he also condemned Israel for detaining members of the Palestinian government.
His statement coincided with U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan urging Israelis and Palestinians to "step back from the brink."
MacKay also expressed concern about the humanitarian situation in Gaza and said urgent action was needed to provide electricity, water and essential facilities for residents.
"Diplomatic negotiations rather than violence are needed to resolve the situation," he said. |
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