Military

DATE=10/1/04

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=US / ISRAEL / GAZA (S-ONLY)

NUMBER=2-319376

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

HEADLINE: US Urges Israel to Avoid Harming Civilians in Gaza Offensive

INTRO: The United States expressed regret Friday over civilian casualties from Israel's ongoing military push in the Gaza Strip, urging it to use only "proportional force" in countering attacks by Palestinian militants. VOA's David Gollust reports from the State Department.

TEXT: The State Department reiterated Israel's right to self-defense against terrorist attacks. But at a news briefing Deputy State Department Spokesman Adam Ereli noted with regret reports of civilian casualties in the Israeli incursion into Gaza that began late Tuesday, and called for Israeli restraint in the use of force in the densely populated Palestinian area:

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"We urge the government of Israel to take every measure to insure that only proportional force is used to counter the threats it faces. We urge Israel to avoid civilian casualties and minimize humanitarian consequences."

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Mr. Ereli, who said he was not accusing Israel of deliberately targeting non-combatants, said the reported civilian casualties in Gaza can only make efforts to achieve a durable peace in the Middle East more difficult. (Signed)

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