United Nations Radio

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has condemned the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) firing on a United Nations aid convoy in Gaza, killing two UNRWA contract workers and the injuring of another.

According to reports from UN agencies, this incident took place during the three-hour humanitarian lull announced by the Israeli Defense Force.

UN Spokeswoman Michele Montas says since the conflict began 13 days ago, four local staff of the UN agency assisting Palestinian refugees-UNRWA have been killed:

SG Ban Ki-moon

"The Secretary-General calls once again for an immediate ceasefire in order to facilitate full and unhindered humanitarian access, and to allow aid workers to work in safety to reach persons in need."

The spokeswoman says the UN is in close touch with the Israeli authorities about the full investigation of this and other incidents, and about the need for urgent measures to avoid them in the future.

UNRWA has been forced to suspend food distribution as it cannot guarantee the safety of its staff. The spokeswoman says the inability of the UN to provide assistance in this worsening humanitarian crisis is unacceptable.

This is Donn Bobb reporting for United Nations Radio.

(duration: 1'07")