VOA：潘基文再次呼吁巴以立即停火
Mr. Ban says his message is simple, direct and to the point.
"The fighting must stop," he said. "To both sides, I say, 'Just stop now.'"
The secretary-general has repeatedly called for both sides to implement an immediate cease-fire.
Last week, the Security Council adopted resolution 1860 calling for an "immediate and durable cease-fire" by a vote of 14 to zero. The United States was the sole abstention. But Israel and Hamas have rejected it.
Mr. Ban said that he is "very frustrated and
concerned" that the resolution has not been fully observed. He cited
deep concern over the rising number of Palestinian casualties in Gaza.
In 17 days of fighting, more than 900 Palestinians have been reported
killed and some 4,000 more injured, many of them civilians.
The U.N. chief leaves for the Middle East on Tuesday and plans to visit seven countries in six days.
"My
goal is to step up the pace of our joint diplomatic efforts and ensure
that urgent humanitarian assistance reaches those in need," he said.
The
secretary-general's schedule includes meetings with top leaders in
Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Kuwait.
Arab
ministers have long been planning to meet this week in Kuwait to
discuss the global economic crisis. Mr. Ban said he expects there will
be extra sessions to deal with the violence in Gaza and that he would
be willing to participate.
The secretary-general said he also
hopes his visit will be a tangible expression of his support for the
10,000 United Nations personnel on the ground in the Palestinian
territories and Israel.
Israel launched its air and ground
incursion into Gaza 17 days ago to silence Hamas rocket attacks into
southern Israel. In addition to the Palestinian casualties, 10 Israeli
soldiers have been killed in the fighting, and three Israeli civilians
were killed by Hamas rocket fire.
