Spain condemns Israeli attack against Palestinian civilians

The Spanish government on Wednesday condemned Israeli operations against civilians of Rafah, where at least 10 Palestinians were killed and 50 others injured.

Women and children were among the victims in the attack in southern Gaza Strip.

"A year of peace is lost with every day in this violent environment," said Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, who met Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei in Madrid when the attack was launched.

Madrid "has followed with deep alarm the development of the latest events" in Rafah, the Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

"The Spanish government cannot but condemn the Israeli operations of today against the civil population of Rafah, who were demonstrating against the demolition of Palestinian residences," the statement said.

The Spanish government reiterated "the need for a Palestinian authority to fulfill its obligations and face the terror groups that oppose peace." It urged the Israeli authorities to clarify the recent tragic events.

Such attacks would only make it more difficult for the creation of an atmosphere for dialogue and negotiation, necessary to honoring the commitments included in the road map peace plan, the statement said.

At least 34 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops since the Israeli army launched the military operation early Tuesday.

Also on Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution condemning Israel's mass demolition of Palestinian houses in the Gaza Strip.

Source: Xinhua