BRUSSELS – The European Union voiced concern Monday over the latest flare-up of deadly violence on the Israeli-Gaza border and called on both sides to show restraint. Six Palestinians were killed in a round of tit-for-tat attacks that kicked off Saturday including a barrage of rocket fire from Gaza that wounded eight people in Israel. “I am very concerned by the latest escalation of violence between Gaza and Israel,” European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said, condemning the firing of rockets and mortars into Israel. “I... call on both sides to refrain from exacerbating the situation,” she said in a statement, adding that she supported efforts by Egypt to try to broker a truce. “There is no place for violence in the Middle East. It is only through resumed negotiations that the legitimate aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis will be met, through a two-state solution,” she said. But after 24 hours of violence on its Gaza border, the second such flare-up in less than a month, Israeli officials and commentators Monday weighed the prospect of a major new military operation against Gaza. The violence has prompted tough talk from Israeli leaders, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warning the Jewish state was “prepared to escalate” its response, and Defense Minister Ehud Barak saying Gaza rulers Hamas would pay a “heavy price.” Commentators said the warnings reflected discussions within the government about how to respond to the violence, with options ranging from a largescale military operation to increased air strikes and the targeting of top activists under consideration. Speaking on condition of anonymity, a senior Israeli official confirmed Netanyahu was meeting ambassadors “to prepare them for the possibility that, if need be, Israel will act in a more robust manner to protect our people.” – Agencies
