Ban Ki-moon concerned about fate of UNSC resolution 1860

Ban Ki-moon, the UN Secretary General, has expressed concern over the fate of the UN Security Council”s resolution 1860 that called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

He told a press conference in New York on Monday night that Hamas should stop firing of rockets and Israel should withdraw from the Strip. “It is about time to stop the killing and destruction,” he added.

The UN top official expressed frustration for non implementation of the UNSC resolution in this regard, adding that he urged Israeli premier Ehud Olmert to cease the military operation in Gaza in implementation of the resolution.

“There has been too much civilian suffering. Too many people, Israelis and Palestinians, live in daily fear of their lives. And in Gaza, the very foundation of society is being destroyed: people”s homes; civic infrastructure; public health facilities; and schools”, he elaborated.

Ban Ki-moon told the reporters, “As you know, I leave for the region tomorrow. My goal is to step up the pace of our joint diplomatic efforts and ensure that urgent humanitarian assistance reaches those in need. It is one thing to speak to world leaders, as I have done daily in seeking to resolve this crisis.”

The Secretary General also said, “Most of all, I want to demonstrate my deep concern and empathy for the innocents caught in these terrible circumstances, both in Israel and the Occupied Territory. More than 900 Palestinians have died. About 4,000 more have been injured. They have no place to hide, no place to run.

I will begin my trip in Cairo and move on to Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria. My trip will conclude in Kuwait. The Arab League summit offers us an opportunity to take stock of our progress and chart the next steps ahead.

At each stop, I will repeat my call for an immediate and durable ceasefire and insist that Security Council resolution 1860 be respected fully. To repeat, this means an immediate end to military operations in Gaza — an end to Israel”s offensive and a halt to the rocket attacks by Hamas. The international community must come together to stop the smuggling of weapons into Gaza. By the same token, border crossings into Gaza must be reopened in full. Innocent civilians, whether in the Occupied Territory or southern Israel, cannot live in a state of fear or under a de facto state of siege. Let normal life resume. That is the only path to lasting peace”.

Asked by reporters whether he would have talks with Hamas representatives, Ban Ki-moon said that he was dealing with “the sole Palestinian leader recognized by the world (referring to Mahmoud Abbas whose term in office as PA chief had expired four days ago)”.