UNITED NATIONS, Sept. 30 (Xinhuanet) -- United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan on Thursday voiced deep concern over fresh violence between Israeli and Palestinians and urged both sides to halt violence immediately.

    "The secretary-general is gravely concerned at the escalation of violence and the rising toll of casualties on both sides in theGaza Strip and adjacent Israeli areas in the past 24 hours," UN spokesman Fred Eckhard told reporters.

    Annan "especially mourns the death and injuries of children" and "remains deeply convinced that there is no military solution to this conflict," the spokesman said.

    "He urges both parties immediately to cease all forms of violence, to act in strict compliance with their obligations underthe roadmap (peace plan) and international law and to renew their search for a peaceful solution to the conflict."

    Israeli troops backed by helicopters and tanks entered the northern Gaza Strip on Thursday to search for Palestinian militants after two toddlers were killed in a rocket attack on theIsraeli town of Sderot on Wednesday.

    On Thursday afternoon, an Israeli tank shelled at a crowd of Palestinians in Jabalya refugee camp, killing more than 10 people,mostly children under 16. The Israeli military incursion has left at least 23 Palestinians and five soldiers dead. Enditem