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| UN chief condemns Gaza violence | UN chief condemns Gaza violence |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called on both Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip to halt the violence of the past few days. | UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon has called on both Israel and Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip to halt the violence of the past few days. |
| Addressing the Security Council, he condemned Israel's "excessive" use of force and called Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel "acts of terrorism". | Addressing the Security Council, he condemned Israel's "excessive" use of force and called Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel "acts of terrorism". |
| The Security Council began emergency talks after one of the bloodiest days in Gaza since Israel withdrew in 2005. | The Security Council began emergency talks after one of the bloodiest days in Gaza since Israel withdrew in 2005. |
| At least 54 Palestinians died as well as two Israeli soldiers. | At least 54 Palestinians died as well as two Israeli soldiers. |
| Local doctors say at least 13 of the Palestinians were civilians, including eight children. | Local doctors say at least 13 of the Palestinians were civilians, including eight children. |
| More than 150 Palestinians, and seven Israelis, were also injured on a day that saw both Israeli air and ground assaults and new rocket attacks on Israel. | More than 150 Palestinians, and seven Israelis, were also injured on a day that saw both Israeli air and ground assaults and new rocket attacks on Israel. |
| 'Clear distinction' | |
| "While recognising Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children," said Mr Ban. | "While recognising Israel's right to defend itself, I condemn the disproportionate and excessive use of force that has killed and injured so many civilians, including children," said Mr Ban. |
| There is a clear distinction between terrorist rocket attacks that target civilians and action in self-defence Gordon JohndroeWhite House spokesman In pictures: Gaza violence | |
| "I call on Israel to cease such attacks. | "I call on Israel to cease such attacks. |
| "I condemn Palestinian rocket attacks and call for the immediate cessation of such acts of terrorism." | "I condemn Palestinian rocket attacks and call for the immediate cessation of such acts of terrorism." |
| Israeli UN representative Daniel Carmon said Israel had a "duty" to defend itself under the UN charter. | |
| Palestinian representative Riyad Mansour accused the international community of an "unjustifiable and unacceptable" silence on events in Gaza. | |
| Libya, a temporary member of the Security Council, has circulated a draft resolution condemning Israel but, as it does not mention Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, diplomats believe it will not be passed. | Libya, a temporary member of the Security Council, has circulated a draft resolution condemning Israel but, as it does not mention Palestinian rocket attacks on Israel, diplomats believe it will not be passed. |
| An Israeli at his home in Sderot after Palestinian rocket attacks | |
| The US, which as a permanent member can veto any resolution, made clear it understood Israel's position. | The US, which as a permanent member can veto any resolution, made clear it understood Israel's position. |
| "There is a clear distinction between terrorist rocket attacks that target civilians and action in self-defence," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. | "There is a clear distinction between terrorist rocket attacks that target civilians and action in self-defence," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said. |
| US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this week to try to revive peace talks. | US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is due to meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert this week to try to revive peace talks. |
| Mr Abbas, who lost control of Gaza to his Islamist rivals Hamas last summer, strongly condemned Israel's operations on Saturday. | Mr Abbas, who lost control of Gaza to his Islamist rivals Hamas last summer, strongly condemned Israel's operations on Saturday. |
| Scores dead | Scores dead |
| Israeli operations began on Wednesday after a rocket fired by Hamas militants killed an Israeli student in the southern town of Sderot, the first such death in nine months. | Israeli operations began on Wednesday after a rocket fired by Hamas militants killed an Israeli student in the southern town of Sderot, the first such death in nine months. |
| More than 80 Palestinians have been killed since then, with fighting on Saturday centred on the north Gaza town of Jabaliya and its nearby refugee camp. | More than 80 Palestinians have been killed since then, with fighting on Saturday centred on the north Gaza town of Jabaliya and its nearby refugee camp. |
| In a statement on Saturday, Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak blamed Hamas for the killings, saying his country was "not happy about civilians being hurt". | In a statement on Saturday, Israel's Defence Minister Ehud Barak blamed Hamas for the killings, saying his country was "not happy about civilians being hurt". |
| Israel has said it may launch a full-scale attack on Gaza in response to the rocket attacks. | Israel has said it may launch a full-scale attack on Gaza in response to the rocket attacks. |
| The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says Israel's leaders have been under pressure from some quarters to launch a ground invasion. | The BBC's Katya Adler in Jerusalem says Israel's leaders have been under pressure from some quarters to launch a ground invasion. |
| However, a recent opinion poll has indicated a majority of Israelis favour a truce with Hamas. | However, a recent opinion poll has indicated a majority of Israelis favour a truce with Hamas. |
| Early on Sunday, Israeli planes attacked the offices of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City, witnesses said. | Early on Sunday, Israeli planes attacked the offices of Hamas leader Ismail Haniya in Gaza City, witnesses said. |
| The empty offices were destroyed and several people in neighbouring buildings injured, they said. | The empty offices were destroyed and several people in neighbouring buildings injured, they said. |
| Have you been affected by this story? Are you in Gaza? Send us your comments using the post form below: | Have you been affected by this story? Are you in Gaza? Send us your comments using the post form below: |