UN chief urges end to "unacceptable" violence in Gaza
Posted: 30 December 2008 0129 hrs

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UNITED NATIONS: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday urged Arab and world leaders to do more to immediately end the "unacceptable" violence in the Gaza Strip as Israel bombed the region for the third day.

"Both Israel and Hamas must halt their acts of violence and take all necessary measures to avoid civilian casualties. A ceasefire must be declared immediately," Ban said.

"The suffering caused to civilian populations as a result of the large-scale violence and destruction that have taken place over the past few days has saddened me profoundly."

At least 345 people have been killed since Israel unleashed its bombing campaign on the Strip on Saturday after increased rocket and mortar fire from Gaza on southern Israel.

Ban said he was "deeply alarmed by the current escalation of violence in and around Gaza. This is unacceptable.

"I have been repeatedly condemning the rocket attacks against Israel while recognising Israel's right to defend itself. I have also condemned the excessive use of force by Israel in Gaza," he said.

He said he had been in touch with regional and world leaders "to underscore the need to restore calm in full."

But he chided them saying: "I think regional and international partners have not done enough. They should do more.

"Arab foreign ministers are going to meet soon in emergency session. I urge them to act swiftly and decisively to bring an early end to this impasse.

"At the same time, other world leaders must also step up efforts to support a longer term resolution of the issue," Ban said.

Israel has made it clear its military offensive was just beginning and vowed it would destroy every building used by the Hamas militants who control the impoverished and overcrowded sliver of coastal land.

With Israeli tanks idling just metres away from Gaza, the army has declared the area a closed military zone - a move that in the past has often been followed by ground operations.

Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak, who has warned of a possible ground attack, declared Israel was in "an all-out war with Hamas and its proxies," but stressed everything would be done to spare civilians.

Ban said he had been given a guarantee by the Israeli government that humanitarian supplies and personnel would still be allowed into Gaza.

"The frightening nature of what is happening on the ground, in particular its effects on children - who are more than half of the population - troubles me greatly," he said.

"I have continuously stressed the need for strict observance of international humanitarian law," Ban said, adding he was also saddened by the deaths and injuries caused to UN personnel on the ground. - AFP/de