Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., January 14, 2009 Tevet 18, 5769 | | Israel Time: 04:38 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 23:57 13/01/2009
UN Chief Ban, en route to Mideast: Hamas, Israel must stop fighting now
By The Associated Press
Tags: Gaza, UN, Ban, Israel

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon headed to the Middle East on Tuesday to step up diplomatic efforts to get Israel and Hamas to adhere to a UN cease-fire resolution in the Gaza Strip and allow humanitarian aid into the coastal territory.



"My message is simple, direct, and to the point: the fighting must stop. To both sides, I say: Just stop now," Ban told reporters before his departure.
Advertisement
"Too many people have died. There has been too much civilian suffering. Too many people, Israelis and Palestinians, live in daily fear of their lives," he added.

Since Israel launched its air and ground offensive on Dec. 27, Ban said he has been on the phone constantly with top officials in the Middle East, Europe and the United States promoting a cease-fire. But he said phone calls are not a substitute for direct talks with leaders who have influence on the parties.

The secretary-general said that over the course of the coming week, he would try to visit all countries that could make a difference in the situatuin.

He will meet senior officials in Egypt and Jordan on Wednesday, then head to Israel, the Palestinian-controlled West Bank, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Kuwait where he said an Arab League summit may add an extra session to tackle the Gaza conflict.

His itinerary does not include a stop in Gaza because of the ongoing conflict.

Ban said he will be discussing an immediate cease-fire with Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak, who is hosting separate talks with the Israelis and Hamas, and pressing Israel's leaders, and the presidents of Turkey and Syria, who have influence with Hamas, for a halt to the fighting.
He added that he has been discussing the conflict with the Americans, Israel's closest ally, every day.

Ban said he would also be encouraging diplomatic initiatives - including one by Mubarak - to open border crossings, strengthen border security, provide humanitarian assistance, protect the Palestinian population in Gaza, and reunite Hamas-controlled Gaza and the Fatah-controlled West Bank.

Ban said the UN maintains diplomatic relations with the Palestinian Authority, headed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, whom he will visit in Ramallah, but UN officials have only technical contact with Hamas representatives, which seized control of Gaza from Abbas' government in 2007.

"I urge again that Hamas militants - they must stop, they must look to the future of the Palestinian people," he said.

The Security Council resolution adopted Thursday by a vote of 14-0, with the U.S. abstaining, stresses the urgency of and calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected cease-fire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

The UN chief will return to New York on Jan. 20, just before Barack Obama's inauguration.


Related articles:
  • Olmert: Gaza war won't end until rockets and smuggling stop
  • IDF begins deploying reservists into Gaza as part of ground op
  • IDF: Hamas rocket fire down 50% since start of Gaza op
  • Immigration officials: Gaza op hasn`t deterred infiltration of migrants from Egypt
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    From the bunker
    Hamas says Gaza won't break, victory over Israel is near.
    Banned
    Israel bans Arab parties from running in upcoming elections.
      1.   Perhaps he`ll watch Gaza from Sderot and face the qassams 15:54  |  x-ray 13/01/09
      2.   The Eleventh Hour Samaritan 18:17  |  Shimon Cleopas 13/01/09
      3.   UN irrelevant, IDF will stop in time for Obama inauguration 02:01  |  Voice of Reason 14/01/09
      4.   Why is it that the UN doesn`t condemn the Hamas? 02:04  |  Maria 14/01/09
      5.   Ban is going to stop the rockets with his rocket-popper? 03:43  |  Bennie 14/01/09
     Read & React
    Bradley Burston / Gaza War Diary IV - Can people die of ambivalence?
    Responses: 45
    Amos Harel with IDF in Gaza / 'Let's finish what we started'
    Responses: 79
    Ari Shavit: World cannot, must not condemn our war on Hamas
    Responses: 112
    U.S. arms shipment to Israel canceled due to Gaza conflict
    Responses: 17
    Yoel Marcus: It's not Israel's fault it has a strong, well-run army
    Responses: 75


    More Headlines
    03:10 Olmert ignoring calls from Barak, Livni for immediate Gaza truce
    03:13 Egypt tells Hamas it must commit to one year cease-fire in Gaza
    03:14 U.S.: Olmert never asked us to abstain from UN vote on Gaza truce
    03:15 ANALYSIS / Israel believes Hamas is waiting on Obama for Gaza truce
    03:58 Diplomats: Gaza op causing long-term harm to Israel's image
    04:09 Amira Hass / Palestinian doctor killed by IDF while treating Gaza wounded
    21:32 Shin Bet: Some 565 rockets, 200 mortar shells fired at Israel since start of Gaza op
    00:44 Israel's Waltz with Bashir, on 1982 Lebanon War, gets Oscar nod
    22:09 IDF officer critically hurt in Gaza; 6 other soldiers also wounded
    23:56 Settler shoots, kills Palestinian who allegedly hurled rocks at him
    23:57 UN human rights body: Gaza violence has 'devastating' effect on children
    19:48 Embedded with the IDF in Gaza / 'Let's finish what we started'
    03:59 Sarkozy calls on French religious leaders to condemn anti-Semitic incidents
    17:58 WATCH: IDF says Hamas has professionalized use of human shields in Gaza
    23:58 Israel denies Syria claim it left traces of uranium at nuclear site bombed by IAF
    21:34 Palestinian reporters charged with leaking censored info on Gaza to Iran TV
    20:44 IDF Chief: Hamas bombers posing as Israeli troops in Gaza
    23:58 Turkish PM denies anti-Semitism, says 'Jewish-backed media' spread false info on Gaza
    22:25 Italy's Jews: Pope Benedict negating 50 years of interfaith progress
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved