The picture taken on January 6, 2005 shows a Palestinian flag flying in front of a bulding destroyed in conflicts in Gaza City. Armed conflicts between Israelis and Palestinians escalated in the Gaza Strip as the Palestinian presidential election is due to be held on January 9. (Xinhua Photo)

The int'l community is concerned by violent developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has expressed hopes that the Palestinian presidential election proceeds smoothly.

The international community is concerned by violent developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and has expressed hopes that the Palestinian presidential election proceeds smoothly.

United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, issued a statement expressing his worries about the intensifying conflict and the Israeli military operations in the northern Gaza Strip, calling on both parties to exercise restraint and act responsibly.

Jordan's King Abdullah II called on the world to support the forthcoming Palestinian elections and establish an independent Palestinian state as a basis for real peace between the Palestinians and Israelis.

Russia said it hoped both parties could revive peace talks after the election and take effective measures to halt the violence. Russia also called on Israel to give assistance to the Palestinians.

Israeli troops shot dead at least eight Palestinians and injured several others in a strawberry field in north Gaza on Tuesday.