UNITED NATIONS, Feb. 7 (UPI) -- Amid renewed hostility this week in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the United Nations Tuesday called for an end to the violence.
Israel has conducted several targeted killings in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, where repeated rocket attacks by Palestinian militants have originated in the past few days.
"While recognizing Israel's right to defend its citizens, targeted killings place innocent bystanders at grave risk and amount to executions without trial," said Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan.
"[Mr. Annan] underlines to all parties the need to respect international humanitarian law, and to refrain from actions that could lead to an escalation of violence," said Dujarric.
These new armed attacks come days after the sweeping victory of Hamas in the Palestinian elections held Jan. 25.
The free and secure January elections were seen as a positive step toward consolidation of Palestinian democracy and the goal of a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
"There is a fundamental contradiction between armed group and militia activities and the building of a democratic state," said the Quartet - a diplomatic group made up of the U.N., European Union, Russia and the United States - after elections results were announced.
"A two-state solution to the conflict requires all participants in the democratic process to renounce violence and terror, accept Israel's right to exist, and disarm, as outlined in the 'road map'," said the Quartet, referring to the peace plan which aims for a final settlement of the Mideast impasse.
