Special report: Israel launches Gaza
assault
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Mourners pray near bodies of the
Palestinians killed by Israeli artillery during their funeral at Beit
Hanoun town in northern Gaza Strip , Nov. 9, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP
Photo)
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UNITED
NATIONS, Nov. 10 (Xinhua) -- The UN Security Council on Friday put off by 24
hours a vote on a draft resolution condemning Israel's deadly attack in Gaza,
after Arab nations agreed to soften the text.
Members of the 15-member body met briefly to discuss
the draft,which was introduced by Qatar on behalf of Arab states.
The council would meet at noon (1700 GMT) on Saturday
to vote on the text, whose wording was toned down somewhat from a version being
circulated earlier this week, said Western diplomats.
Arab nations initially asked the council to adopt a
resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and a UN observer force to
enforce the ceasefire.
A new draft circulated on Friday dropped both the
ceasefire call and a UN observer force, calling on the international community
to take steps to stabilize the situation, revive the Middle East peace process,
and consider "the possible establishment of an international mechanism" for the
protection of civilians.
Both the original text and the revised version urged
Israel to end its military operations in Palestinian territories and withdraw
its troops from Gaza immediately.
But diplomats said the United States would likely
veto the new draft although Washington had not publicly stated its position.
Israeli tanks attacked a residential neighborhood in
Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza early Wednesday, killing at least 18 people,
including eight children.
It was the deadliest attack on Palestinian civilians
in the past several years, prompting a wave of strong censure across the Arab
world and the international community.
Israel has been a key U.S. ally in the Middle East
and the United States has repeatedly supported Israel's military action against
the Palestinians as defending itself from "terrorist" attacks.
Related stories:
Funeral held for Beit Hanoun tragedy
victims
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A Palestinian carries the body of
one-and-a-half year old Maram Al-Athamna, after she was killed together
with her family by Israeli artillery shell, during her funeral at Beit
Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip Nov. 9, 2006. (Xinhua/AFP
Photo)
Photo Gallery
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