Britain urges Israel to exercise restraint in Gaza

       In Britain, Foreign Office Minister Kim Howells has urged Israel to exercise restraint and avoid harming civilians. In a statement issued Friday, he said the deaths and injuries of a number of Palestinian civilians as a result of recent Israeli military incursions into Gaza risks undermining efforts to build confidence and give momentum to the peace process. Kol Israel correspondent Jerry Lewis, adds that Dr Howells balanced his statement by noting that the continuing firing of rockets by Palestinians into Israeli populated areas was also causing a similar effect, and he urged what he termed relevant parties in Gaza to do their utmost to stop the firing of rockets.(21,56)