Monday, November 19, 2012

Ban Ki-moon urges Israel, Hamas to make truce

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has urged Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas to immediately end their fighting.Israeli military continues its fierce air strikes on Gaza, so far killing nearly seventy people even as efforts are being made to secure a ceasefire with the Islamic group Hamas.

Sunday marked the fifth day since Israel began its latest military operation consisting of air raids and artillery attacks by warships. In Gaza, nine people, including children, were killed when a three-story building collapsed under an air attack.In the latest hostilities, Hamas fired rockets that have killed 3 Israelis.

As the fighting continues, the leader of Hamas is seeking the help of Egypt and Qatar in finding a way to reach a possible truce with Israel.Local media have also reported the Israeli government has sent a special envoy to Egypt for negotiations.

An Israeli government spokesperson denies this, but Israeli Vice Prime Minister Moshe Ya'alon said the country can accept a ceasefire if Hamas halts its attacks against Israel.But it's uncertain that a truce can be realized as Israel prepares to expand its retaliation into a ground operation.

UN chief urged all parties involved to cooperate in order to reach an immediate cease-fire. He said he intends to travel to the region where he will appeal for an end to the violence.Ban made the call in a statement on Sunday as Israel continued its artillery and aerial attacks on Hamas-controlled Gaza and Hamas responded with rocket fire into Israeli towns.

Ban expressed deep concern over the deaths of civilians, including women and children, in Gaza. He also said he was alarmed by the killing of civilians in Israel by the rocket attacks.

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