Ban calls for halt of Gaza violence

Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Sunday said he was "deeply saddened" by the reported deaths of more than ten members of the Palestinian Dalu family, including women and children, in Gaza, as well as other civilians killed as a result of the ongoing Israeli air strikes on the Strip, and called for an end to violence. He also said he was "alarmed" by the continuing firing of rockets against Israeli towns, which has killed several Israeli civilians. More than 50 Palestinians have died since the Israeli assault began last Wednesday. Three Israeli civilians died as a result of rocket firing from Gaza. "This must stop. I strongly urge the parties to cooperate with all efforts led by Egypt to reach an immediate cease fire. Any further escalation will inevitably increase the suffering of the affected civilian populations and must be avoided," he said in a statement he issued himself and not through his spokesman as usual. He recalled that he is heading to the region to "appeal personally" for ending the violence and contribute to ongoing efforts to that end. Ban is expected to visit Egypt, Ramallah and Israel early next week. An Arab group delegation met with him last Thursday to urge him to use his good offices to end the bloodshed. The Arab group also wants the Security Council to act, but diplomats said it is unlikely it would before Ban ends his mediation efforts in the region. The group circulated a draft text that would have the Council condemn Israel's actions which Palestinian Ambassador Ryad Mansour described in a letter to Ban and Council President, India, on Sunday as "war crimes and acts of State terrorism," and in "direct violation of numerous provisions of the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court."