A+ A-

As Muslims mark Eid Al-Fitr, Ban calls for end to fighting in Gaza

NEW YORK, July 28 (KUNA) - As Muslims around the world observe Eid Al-Fitr, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday, once again, called for an "immediate, unconditional" humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza "in the name of humanity," and for accountability and justice for crimes committed "by all sides." Fresh from a six-day peace mission to a number of countries in the region, Ban told reporters "as the world marks Eid al-Fitr, it is time for an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire. In the name of humanity, the violence must stop. People cannot continue to be killed like that." His call came hours after the Security Council also expressed "strong" support for the call by international partners, including his own, for an "immediate and unconditional" humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza to allow the delivery of urgently needed assistance, and called for the protection of the civilian population.
"I was deeply disappointed that dangerous hostilities resumed on Sunday - but since Sunday evening a relative and very fragile calm on the ground has been established," he noted. Ban said that since his return to New York, he resumed contacts with world leaders, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, whom he called earlier in the day to reiterate his call to stop the fighting. "All occupying powers have an international legal obligation to protect civilians," he stressed, adding that "at the same time, no country would accept the threat of rockets from above and tunnels from below," in reference to Israel. He said the temporary weekend pause in fighting brought a brief respite to war-weary civilians. "It also revealed how much the massive Israeli assault has devastated the lives of the people of Gaza. We saw scenes of indiscriminate destruction." On the assault on an UNRWA school in Beit Hanoun last week, in which 16 Palestinians were killed, Ban said the ongoing fighting has prevented establishing conclusive responsibility, but "it is imperative to do so and to have accountability for this outrageous crime. Indeed, there must be accountability and justice for crimes committed by all sides." He noted that the people of Gaza have "nowhere to run. They are trapped and besieged on a speck of land. Every area is a civilian area. Every home, every school, every refuge has become a target. The casualty and damage figures also raise serious questions about proportionality." "I repeat yet again my call on Israel and all parties to do vastly more to ensure the safety of the UN sites and the security of the 173,000 people who have sought sanctuary there," he urged. "Israelis and Palestinians have a responsibility to stop the fighting now - to start the dialogue now - and to address the root causes that will finally break the endless cycle of senseless suffering," he urged. That means, he explained, "securing peace through mutual respect, an end to the economic strangulation of Gaza and the nearly half century of occupation." He warned that more suffering and siege conditions in Gaza "will only hurt innocent civilians, further isolate Israel, empower extremists on all sides, and leave our world far less safe," vowing to continue his efforts to deliver the peace that Israelis and Palestinians "so desperately need and so fully deserve." In answer to questions, Ban said the reason why the ceasefire is not holding is "lack of political will," urging the parties to listen to his and other "moral voices." (end) sj.ajs