By NNN-KUNA
Brussels : The European Union has expressed its deep concern over what it said was “the latest surge of violence in and near Gaza”.
A statement issued Tuesday by the EU Presidency, held currently by Slovenia, called on all the parties to exercise utmost restraint and refrain from use of force.
The EU appealed for calm, “particularly in this time of renewed political process and encouraged Israel and the Palestinian Authority to pursue negotiations in accordance with the Annapolis joint understanding”.
The EU statement made no mention that 18 Palestinians were killed in an Israeli raid in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on Tuesday.
In a separate statement, the 27-member bloc “strongly condemned” recent terrorist attacks on UNIFIL troops and on the US embassy vehicle in Lebanon.
The EU “firmly condemns any attempt to undermine peace and stability in Lebanon. It also reiterates its support and calls upon the parties to reach a compromise for the benefit of all the people of Lebanon,” noted the statement.