New York - United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon on Monday issued his strongest call yet to Israel and Hamas to stop the fighting and abide by a UN Security Council resolution that would ensure that relief supplies reach people in the Gaza Strip. "All sides must stop now," Ban told a press conference at UN headquarters. He is to leave Tuesday on a visit to seven Middle East nations and Palestinian territories, ending the trip in Kuwait, where he will attend a previously scheduled Arab economic forum.
Ban has been urging Israel and Hamas to abide by Resolution 1860, which called for an "immediate, durable and fully respected ceasefire."
The 15-nation council adopted the resolution with a 14-0 vote, with the United States abstaining.
"We have a Security Council resolution demanding an immediate and enduring ceasefire," Ban said. "In the name of humanity and international law, this resolution must be observed."
Ban said he will fly to Cairo to attend talks being sponsored by the Egyptian government to work out a ceasefire in Gaza. He then will visit Jordan, Israel, Palestinian territories, Turkey, Lebanon, Syria and Kuwait.
"At each stop, I will repeat my call for an immediate and durable ceasefire, and insist that Security Council resolution 1860 be respected in full," Ban said.
He will also demand that governments in the region ensure urgent humanitarian aid to Gaza residents, re-opening of the crossings into Gaza, protection of the civilian population and strengthening of border security in Gaza.
