Ground attack on Gaza would be unacceptable

Russian President Vladimir Putin yesterday called for an end to the bloodshed in the Middle East and cautioned Israel that a ground offensive in Gaza would lead to an "absolutely unacceptable" number of civilian casualties. Israel's military yesterday called for all civilians of Gaza City, more than 1 million people, to relocate south within 24 hours. Putin said Israel had been subjected to "an attack unprecedented in its cruelty" and had the right to protection, but that the bloodshed should cease, cautioning that a ground attack would lead to "serious consequences for all sides". "And most importantly, the civilian casualties will be absolutely unacceptable. Now the main thing is to stop the bloodshed," Putin said at a summit in Kyrgyzstanwith other former republics of the Soviet Union. "Russia is ready to coordinate with all constructively minded partners," Putin said, adding that the key to resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was the creation of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.