UN's Ban makes emotional plea on Mideast crisis

The United Nations Secretary-General, Ban Ki-moon made a stern and emotional plea on Wednesday (August 6) for lasting peace in the Middle East.      

"The senseless cycle of suffering in Gaza, and the West Bank, as well as in Israel, must end. Do we have to continue like this? Build, destroy and build and destroy? We will build again, but this must be the last time to rebuild; this must stop now. They must go back to the negotiating table. We must not repeat this way, periodically," said Ban.     

The U.N. chief, who was addressing the General Assembly at U.N. headquarters, said that both Israel and the Palestinian Occupied Territories are causing concern and unease to the entire international community, who helplessly watch the killing in the region.       

Ban also repeated his outrage about the Israel's attacks on U.N. facilities, which were sheltering thousands of displaced persons.      

"Perhaps nothing symbolized more the horror that was unleashed on the people of Gaza, than the repeated shelling of U.N. facilities harboring civilians who had been explicitly told to seek a safe haven there. These attacks were outrageous, unacceptable and unjustifiable," said Ban.        

Despite a current 72-hour long ceasefire, Ban said that the world cannot rest.       

"This ceasefire has come at a price that is almost too much to bear. The massive death and destruction in Gaza have shocked and shamed the world."     

The secretary-general thanked his many U.N. colleagues "serving the people of Gaza" for their bravery, sacrifice and for saving lives. The U.N. flag will be flown at half mast on Thursday (August 7) in memory of U.N. personnel who have lost their lives in the conflict.      


REUTERS