SECRETARY-GENERAL CONCERNED OVER KILLINGS ON Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ AGENCY PREMISES

Following is a statement attributable to the Spokesman for Secretary-General Kofi Annan:

The Secretary-General continues to be deeply concerned at the upsurge in violence in the occupied Palestinian territory and Israel.  He was saddened to learn of the death of 10-year-old Raghda Adnan al-Assar, who died on 22 September after being hit in the head by an IDF bullet whilst sitting at her desk at the Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA Elementary School in Khan Younis on 7 September.  On 27 September, 55-year-old Said al-Madhoun was shot and killed on the grounds of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA’s Preparatory School in Khan Younis.  In addition, an Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµRWA contractor was shot and seriously wounded on 27 September while working in a Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ warehouse in Rafah.

The Secretary-General and his representatives in the region have repeatedly called on the Government of Israel to respect the inviolability of Ä¢¹½ÊÓÆµ institutions and installations, and in particular, to refrain from any activities that endanger the lives and safety of those who are lawfully on the premises, especially children.  The Secretary-General reiterates the obligation for the Government of Israel to ensure the safety of civilians in the occupied Palestinian territory.

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