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Ban: World leaders not doing enough for Gaza

December 29, 2008

(JTA) -- Regional and international partners are not doing enough to stop the violence between Israel and Hamas, the United Nations secretary-general said.

Ban Ki-moon also condemned Israel's "excessive use of force" in Gaza while "recognizing Israel's right to defend itself," in a statement he read to reporters on Monday.

“A cease-fire must be declared immediately,” Ban said. “They must also curb their inflammatory rhetoric. Only then can dialogue start.”

Ban said he had consulted with international and regional leaders on the escalating violence.  “They should do more. They should use all possible means to end the violence and encourage political dialogue, emphasizing peaceful ways of resolving differences,” he said.

Ban, who was making his third statement in three days, called on Israel to continue to allow humanitarian aid to cross into Gaza.

U.N. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John Holmes said following Ban's statement that 60 truckloads of supplies had been allowed into Gaza Monday, including four with medical supplies. He said that there were “just about enough supplies” in Gaza at the moment.

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