United Nations Radio

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is gravely concerned about the situation in Gaza and southern Israel and the potential for further violence and civilian suffering if calm is not restored.

Gaza

A statement from a UN spokesperson says the Secretary-General condemns today's rocket attacks on southern Israel and calls on Hamas to ensure that rocket attacks from Gaza cease immediately.

He urges all parties to work to secure the immediate restoration of the calm and an urgent easing of humanitarian conditions in the Gaza Strip, including the continuous provision of humanitarian supplies.

The Secretary-General calls for respect by all parties of international humanitarian law.

He reiterates, as the Quartet stated when it met on 15 December, that a lasting solution to the situation in Gaza can only be attained by peaceful means.

Donn Bobb, United Nations Radio

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