( dpa ) - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon voiced Thursday deep concern over a new wave of violence between Israel and the Palestinians, criticizing the mounting number of casualties on both sides.
He urged the Israeli Defense Force to exercise maximum restraint and the Palestinians to immediately cease sniper and rocket attacks on Israel.
"The secretary general is deeply concerned at the current escalation of violence in Gaza and southern Israel as well as in the West Bank," said UN spokesperson Michelle Montas.
"He is troubled by the heavy bloodshed, particularly the killing and injuring of civilians on both sides and the potential for further casualties unless the situation is de-escalated," she said. dpa tn cc