UN chief urges Israel to stop house demolition in Gaza immediately

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UNITED NATIONS, May 17 (Xinhuanet) -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan condemned on Monday Israel's destruction of refugees' homes in the Gaza Strip and called for an immediate end to it.

Annan reiterated his condemnation of Israel's widespread destruction of Palestinian homes in Rafah in the Gaza Strip, which has left 2,197 people homeless since May 1, his spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters.

"He repeats his call on the government of Israel to fulfill its obligations under international law as it acts to ensure its security," Eckhard said.

"As the occupying power, it must cease such acts of collective punishment immediately, and to refrain from further grave violations of international law."

http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2004-05/17/content_1474841.htm