SG/SM/9301
                                                                                                                        PAL/1980
                                                                                                                        12 May 2004

Secretary-General Deeply Disturbed by Alarming Violence in Gaza City

NEW YORK, 11 May (UN Headquarters) -- Following is the text of a statement attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General is deeply disturbed by the alarming violence in Gaza City today.  Among the dead are several Palestinians, including civilians and children, and at least six Israeli soldiers.  The Secretary-General is particularly concerned by the heavy fighting in densely populated neighbourhoods, which is exposing more Palestinian civilians to death and injury.  He urges both sides to desist from further violence and instead to heed the calls of the Quartet and the international community to resume negotiations to end the conflict.

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