The Middle East Quartet has urged Israel to freeze all settlement activity and has expressed deep concern about the situation in Gaza.
According to UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, the Quartet also said that peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians should result in a settlement within 24 months.
Mr Ban said such a settlement would 'end the occupation which began in 1967 and result in the emergence of an independent, democratic and viable Palestinian state living side by side in peace and security with Israel and its other neighbours.'
The quartet, comprising Russia, the US, the UN and the EU, is also urging the government of Israel to dismantle outposts erected since March 2001 and to refrain from demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem, Mr Ban said.
'Unilateral actions taken by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations and will not be recognised by the international community,' he added, reading from a statement agreed after a Quartet meeting in Moscow.
The quartet also expressed concern about the situation in Gaza, Mr Ban said.
'The Quartet is deeply concerned by the continuing deterioration in Gaza, including the humanitarian and human rights situation of the civilian population and stresses the urgency of a durable resolution to the Gaza crisis.'
The statement comes as Israeli aircraft struck at least six targets in Gaza a day after a rocket killed a Thai worker in Israel, Hamas security officials said.
Two civilians were wounded in one of three attacks on smuggling tunnels along the border with Egypt.
The other targets included two open areas in Khan Younis and a metal foundry near Gaza City.
An Israeli military spokesman confirmed six sites had been targeted, including two tunnels dug near the Israeli border fence and a weapons manufacturing site, and added ‘direct hits were identified’.
Vice Prime Minister Silvan Shalom had said yesterday that Israel would make a strong response to what was the first deadly rocket fire from Gaza at Israel in more than a year.
Israel also sent a letter of complaint to Mr Ban, who is due to visit Israel at the weekend, and the UN Security Council.
Israel's UN Ambassador Gabriela Shalev urged Mr Ban to call for the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, captured by Gaza militants in 2006.
Hamas has demanded Israel free hundreds of the thousands of militants in its jails in exchange for the soldier.
A previously unknown group, Ansar al-Sunna, claimed responsibility for the rocket fire at Israel, as well as the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades.
The latest air strikes took place just ahead of a planned visit by US envoy George Mitchell, who is seeking to relaunch peace talks in the region.
