CARIBBEAN-WAR-CARICOM condemns the fighting between Hamas and Israel.

The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) on Monday issued a statement saying it 'abhors the attacks in Israel and the counterattacks in the Palestinian territory of Gaza.

The statement come three days into the fighting and as the death toll among Israelis and Hamas in the Gaza continue to rise, currently at approximately 1,600.

The CARICOM statement said 'the savage nature of the attacks and counterattacks are the antithesis of civilised life and living.

'Innocent lives are being lost amidst the fervour and violence of the actual combatants.

The CARICOM said it 'joins the responsible members of the international community in calling for an immediate ceasefire and end of hostilities by all parties,' adding that 'the recent round of hostilities reflects the pain and suffering of ancient quarrels.

'The ongoing harsh conditions under which the Palestinians live in veritable colonialism and Israel's sense of insecurity will contribute to a cycle of violence until those realities are definitively addressed,' the statement said.

'Accordingly, CARICOM continues to support the United Nations Security Council Resolution 242...