A+ A-

Ban strongly condemns return to hostilities in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon
NEW YORK, Aug 20 (KUNA) -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon late Tuesday "condemns in the strongest terms" the breach of the Egyptian-brokered humanitarian ceasefire set to expire at midnight local time, and was "gravely disappointed" by the return to hostilities between Israel and Palestinian militants, his press office said in a statement.
Ban "reminds both sides of their responsibility not to let the situation escalate. The hopes of the people in Gaza for a better future and the hopes of the people in Israel for sustainable security rest on the talks in Cairo," the statement said.
He called on the Palestinian and Israeli delegations to "live up to this expectation" and urged the parties to reach an "immediate understanding on a durable ceasefire which also addresses the underlying issues afflicting Gaza." Hamas militants and Israeli forces resumed attacks on Tuesday after a several-day ceasefire collapsed. (end) sj.gta