PRESIDENCY STATEMENT ON THE ISRAELI MISSILE ATTACK IN GAZA. Date : 23/07/2002 News item : CFSP statements Policy area : General Affairs The EU Presidency strongly condemns any military action directed indiscriminately against a civilian neighbourhood, whether Palestinian or Israeli. There can be no justification for last night’s missile attack carried out by the Israeli Air Force in a residential area in Gaza leaving a high number of individuals, including children, killed and injured. The EU Presidency expresses its most sincere condolences to the bereaved families and its wishes for recovery to those injured by this cruel attack. The EU and the international community at large have consistently rejected the Israeli method of extra judicial killings. Neither this nor any other actions causing indiscriminate civilian casualties will bring security to the Israeli public. Military and violent actions only serve to breed more hatred and undermine the attempts by the parties and by the international community to bring about reconciliation and a negotiated end to the conflict. The EU strongly urges militant Palestinian groups to refrain from further terror actions in the wake of this tragic incident. The EU sincerely hopes that the recent talks between the parties may soon continue in spite of this regrettable action.