Koreans Advised Not to Travel to Gaza
By Kim Sue-young
Staff Reporter
The government has advised Koreans to refrain from traveling to all areas within 40 kilometers of the Gaza Strip where Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas have clashed, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said Thursday.
``Recently, 50-70 rockets have been fired daily on average into the southern part of Israel, about 40 kilometers away from Gaza, which could cause casualties,'' ministry spokesman Moon Tae-young told reporters.
No South Korean nationals are so far known to be in the area, he added.
The conflict area had already been designated a travel restricted zone since March 2006.
However, the government elevated the warning telling South Koreans not to visit the designated area.
The measure is not legally binding but under the higher warning, violators could face punishment.
In regard to Seoul's aid for Palestinians in Gaza, $300,000 will be provided through the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) due to difficulty in access and assessment, the spokesman said.
According to reports, other countries such as Norway, Germany and Spain are also joining the relief activities for Palestinians via the international organization.
Korean lawmakers Submit Resolution for Truce
Meanwhile, a group of 18 lawmakers from the governing and opposition parties submitted a resolution to call for a truce between the two sides to the National Assembly Thursday.
Earlier, 81 legislators of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) also presented a similar resolution to the legislature.
``Due to the armed conflict between Israel and Hamas, children and women are suffering,'' said Rep. Hong Jung-wook of the ruling Grand National Party (GNP). ``For peace in the Middle East, the resolution calls for a truce and the protection of civilians.''
Pointing to the recent physical clashes over some contentious bills at the Assembly here, he added that he expects the passage of the resolution to help parties have the same voice for pending issues as well.
Lawmakers of the Assembly Unification Foreign Affairs and Trade Committee also urged the Seoul government to join the international move to stabilize the troubled area and protect civilians there.
According to reports, the Palestinian death toll from the attacks has risen to 600. A quarter of them are known to be women and children.
Nearly 2,800 have been wounded, mainly civilians, reports said.
After days of fighting, Egyptian Ambassador to the United Nations Maged Abdelaziz said the two sides have agreed to meet Thursday for talks in Cairo.
Details have yet to be revealed but the initiative calls for a limited ceasefire in the fight to allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, the Associated Press reported.