The U.N. Security Council issued a media statement early Sunday condemning the escalation of fighting in southern Israel and Gaza and urging Israelis and Palestinians «to immediately cease all acts of violence, AP reported The statement, though not a formal resolution, also stressed that the violence «must not be allowed to deter the political process between Israel and the Palestinian Authority aimed at establishing two states _ Israel and Palestine _ living side by side in peace and security.» Russia's U.N. ambassador, Vitaly Churkin, delivered the summary _ the result of a five-hour emergency council meeting held at the request of the Palestinians and their Arab supporters. Churkin, the current council president, said the summary for the media was agreed to by all 15 council members. «Members of the Security Council are deeply concerned about the loss of civilian life in southern Israel and Gaza and condemn the escalation of violence that has taken place,» the summary said. «Members of the council underscore the need for all parties to immediately cease all acts of violence.»
