21 Nov 2012

UN / GAZA WRAP

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire today (21 November) and commended Palestinian and Israeli leaders for “stepping back from the brink”. Ban has been meeting officials in the region for the past days in an effort to help defuse the Gaza crisis. UNTV / UNRWA / NILE TV INTERNATIONAL

Posted at: November 21, 2012 6:47 pm

Duration: 04:13

Available in: SD

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STORY: UN / GAZA WRAP
TRT: 4.13
SOURCE: UNTV / UNRWA / NILE TV INTERNATIONAL HANDOUT
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: ENGLISH / NATS

DATELINE: 21 NOVEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY / CAIRO, EGYPT / RAMALLAH, WEST BANK / FILE

SHOTLIST:

FILE - UNTV - 2011, NEW YORK CITY

1. Wide shot, exterior United Nations headquarters

UNTV - 21 NOVEMBER 2012, NEW YORK CITY

2. Wide shot, Security Council
3. Med shot, delegates
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
"I warmly welcome today's ceasefire announcement. I commend the parties for stepping back from the brink and I commend President  Morsi of Egypt for his exceptional leadership. Our focus now must be on ensuring the ceasefire holds and that all those in need in Gaza –and there are many- receive the humanitarian assistance they need."
5. Med shot, delegates
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
"It is a huge relief for the people of Gaza and Israel, and for the international community that the violence is stopping. But we are all aware of the risk. And we are all aware that there are many details that must be solidified for a broad durable ceasefire to take firm hold of the longer term. It is imperative that both sides stick to the ceasefire in order to allow these underlying issues to be addressed in a sustainable fashion."
7. Med shot, delegates
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
"I consistently condemned indiscriminate rocket fire from Gaza into Israel. I also believe that, at the same time the excessive and disproportionate use of force that endangers civilian lives is intolerable. It is unacceptable for citizens on both sides to permanently live in fear of the next strike. Put simply all parties must respect international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of all civilians at all times."
9. Med shot, delegates
10. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, United Nations Secretary-General:
"Once the calm is fully restored and the violence ends a broader ceasefire will have to address all the underlying causes of conflict, including a full opening of the crossings; Palestinian reconciliation, and an end to weapons smuggling. It is clear the international community must speak with one voice to prevent a return to violence."
11. Wide shot, end of meeting

NILE TV INTERNATIONAL - 21 NOVEMBER 2012, CAIRO, EGYPT

12. Various shots, UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon meeting with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi

21 NOVEMBER 2012 - UNRWA - RAMALLAH, WEST BANK

13. Various shots, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arriving at the Muqata, the Palestinian Presidential Building in Ramallah
14. Med shot, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon shaking hands with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in negotiations room at the Muqata
15. Med shot, UNRWA Commissioner-General Filippo Grandi arriving at press conference at the Muqata
16. Med shot, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas arriving at press conference
17. Cutaway, journalists
18. SOUNDBITE (English) Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General, United Nations:
"I have spoken to UNRWA representative in Gaza directly with him and I assured my commitment that we will do all what we can to provide humanitarian assistance."
19. Wide shot, exterior of the Muqata, the Palestinian Presidential Building in Ramallah

STORYLINE:

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon welcomed the announcement of a Gaza ceasefire today (21 November) and commended Palestinian and Israeli leaders for "stepping back from the brink".

Following a truce deal today between Israel and Palestinians Ban Ki-moon briefed the members of the Security Council in New York, via video link from Egypt.

The Secretary-General commended Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi for his "exceptional leadership", and stressed that the focus now "must be on ensuring the ceasefire holds and that all those in need in Gaza – and there are many - receive the humanitarian assistance they need".

While noting the relief for the people of Gaza and Israel, and for the international community that the violence was stopping, Ban also warned that there were many details that needed to be solidified "for a broad durable ceasefire to take firm hold of the longer term".

He stressed that that it was imperative for both sides to stick to the ceasefire in order for  "underlying issues to be addressed in a sustainable fashion".

Ban pointed out his consistent condemnation of indiscriminate rocket fire from Gaza into Israel, but at the same time said he believed "the excessive and disproportionate use of force that endangers civilian lives is intolerable".

He said "put simply all parties must respect international humanitarian law to ensure the protection of all civilians at all times".

The Secretary-General told council members that once the calm was fully restored, a broader ceasefire would need to address "all the underlying causes of conflict, including a full opening of the crossings; Palestinian reconciliation, and an end to weapons smuggling. It is clear the international community must speak with one voice to prevent a return to violence".

Earlier today Ban travelled to Cairo where he met with Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi to express his support for the Egyptian President 's efforts to mediate a truce to end the fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Before that Ban was in Ramallah in the West Bank, where he met with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. At a joint press conference there, Ban assured the UN's commitment to provide humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza, including through the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA).

The Secretary-General also met other leaders in the region over the last days, including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Egyptian Prime Minister Hisham Mohamed Qandil and the Secretary-General of the League of Arab States, Nabil Elaraby.