UN concerned over any ground attack on Gaza

By Patrick Worsnip

UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) - The United Nations is "gravely concerned" about any ground invasion of Gaza by Israel, which would simply worsen a conflict that has already killed hundreds, the U.N. Middle East envoy said on Friday.

Israel is seven days into a campaign of air strikes aimed at stamping out Palestinian rocket attacks from Gaza against Israeli cities and its armoured forces are massed on the Gaza border in preparation for a possible ground operation.

Asked by journalists about such an attack, U.N. envoy Robert Serry said, "We are gravely concerned about that prospect because that would just mean another cycle of violence and a further escalation of the conflict. This must stop.

"With Israeli tanks on Gaza's border, it is absolutely imperative now that we find an immediate and lasting way out to avoid an even deeper and deadlier conflict," Serry said by video link from Jerusalem.

At least 425 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict so far and 2,000 wounded. Four Israelis have been killed.

Serry said that if a cease-fire could be achieved, "new conditions on the ground" would be needed to prevent a return to the situation that existed before the Israeli attack.

These should include a commitment by Hamas, which controls Gaza, to stop rocket attacks and arms smuggling, the permanent opening of crossing points into Gaza, and bringing Gaza back under the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank.

Serry also restated his support for a mechanism to monitor any cease-fire, an idea that has been floated by both Israelis and Palestinians. He would not go into detail on how such a mechanism would work, but said the United Nations was willing to play a role.