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Ban 'appalled' by Gaza's damage | Ban 'appalled' by Gaza's damage |
(40 minutes later) | |
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is appalled by Israeli attacks on a UN compound in Gaza after seeing the destruction for himself. | UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is appalled by Israeli attacks on a UN compound in Gaza after seeing the destruction for himself. |
Mr Ban said that those responsible should be held accountable and demanded a "full investigation" through proper judiciary systems. | Mr Ban said that those responsible should be held accountable and demanded a "full investigation" through proper judiciary systems. |
He was speaking in front of the smouldering remains of the UN food warehouse destroyed by Israeli shells. | He was speaking in front of the smouldering remains of the UN food warehouse destroyed by Israeli shells. |
He said he would do all he could to help the population of Gaza. | He said he would do all he could to help the population of Gaza. |
Mr Ban became the first senior leader to visit Gaza since the conflict began, entering the territory through the crossing at Erez and driving to Gaza City. | |
He later visited the southern Israeli town of Sderot, which has been one of the main targets of Palestinian rocket attacks in recent years. | |
He described the rockets as indiscriminate weapons and said the attacks by Hamas are violations of basic humanitarian law. | |
However, he also called on Israel to end its blockade of Gaza, saying the embargo only strengthens Hamas by fuelling desperation in the impoverished enclave. | |
Ceasefire violations | |
Appearing stern and at times angry, Mr Ban called the attacks "outrageous" and demanded guarantees that it would never happen again. | Appearing stern and at times angry, Mr Ban called the attacks "outrageous" and demanded guarantees that it would never happen again. |
"I have protested many times. I am today protesting again in the strongest terms. I have asked (for a) full investigation and (to) make those responsible people accountable," he said. | "I have protested many times. I am today protesting again in the strongest terms. I have asked (for a) full investigation and (to) make those responsible people accountable," he said. |
"I am just appalled. I am not able to describe how I am feeling. This was an outrageous and totally unacceptable attack against the United Nations." | "I am just appalled. I am not able to describe how I am feeling. This was an outrageous and totally unacceptable attack against the United Nations." |
Israeli shells hit the UN headquarters as well as two UN schools during the recent three-week offensive. | Israeli shells hit the UN headquarters as well as two UN schools during the recent three-week offensive. |
CONFLICT IN FIGURES More than 1,300 Palestinians killedThirteen Israelis killedMore than 4,000 buildings destroyed in Gaza, more than 20,000 severely damaged50,000 Gazans homeless and 400,000 without running water In depth: Gaza conflictQ&A: Gaza conflictWho are Hamas?Middle East conflict: History in maps | |
The headquarters were badly damaged and nearly 40 people were killed near one of the schools. | The headquarters were badly damaged and nearly 40 people were killed near one of the schools. |
Israel said militants used the UN buildings as cover to launch attacks, but the military has launched its own investigation. | Israel said militants used the UN buildings as cover to launch attacks, but the military has launched its own investigation. |
Thousands of Gazans have been left homeless by the Israeli offensive and Palestinian officials warned it could cost $1.9bn to rebuild the territory. | Thousands of Gazans have been left homeless by the Israeli offensive and Palestinian officials warned it could cost $1.9bn to rebuild the territory. |
Israeli troops are expected to complete their pull-out later, if the current ceasefire holds. | Israeli troops are expected to complete their pull-out later, if the current ceasefire holds. |
Israeli political sources say the military aims to have withdrawn before Barack Obama's inauguration as US president at 1700 GMT. | Israeli political sources say the military aims to have withdrawn before Barack Obama's inauguration as US president at 1700 GMT. |
But there have been several violent incidents during the day. | But there have been several violent incidents during the day. |
The Israeli navy fired shells into Gaza in what it called a deterrent measure, and reports claimed that a mortar shell was later fired into Israel from Gaza. | The Israeli navy fired shells into Gaza in what it called a deterrent measure, and reports claimed that a mortar shell was later fired into Israel from Gaza. |
Two children were killed near Gaza City in an explosion of ordnance left behind by the Israeli army, according to Palestinian medical officials. | Two children were killed near Gaza City in an explosion of ordnance left behind by the Israeli army, according to Palestinian medical officials. |
And in the West Bank, an Israeli man was shot and seriously wounded while driving near the Kochav Hashachar settlement. | And in the West Bank, an Israeli man was shot and seriously wounded while driving near the Kochav Hashachar settlement. |
A previously unknown group calling itself the al-Bashair Army told the Palestinian news agency, Maan, it had carried out the attack. | A previously unknown group calling itself the al-Bashair Army told the Palestinian news agency, Maan, it had carried out the attack. |
Earlier, the UN's top humanitarian official, John Holmes, said hundreds of millions of dollars of aid would be needed immediately to help Gaza's 1.4 million people. | Earlier, the UN's top humanitarian official, John Holmes, said hundreds of millions of dollars of aid would be needed immediately to help Gaza's 1.4 million people. |
GAZA LATEST In pictures: Devastation in GazaNew Israel phosphorus accusationGaza doctor's loss grips IsraelisAgencies rush aid to Gaza Strip | GAZA LATEST In pictures: Devastation in GazaNew Israel phosphorus accusationGaza doctor's loss grips IsraelisAgencies rush aid to Gaza Strip |
While 100,000 people had their water supply restored on Sunday, 400,000 still had no water, he said. | While 100,000 people had their water supply restored on Sunday, 400,000 still had no water, he said. |
Separately, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimated that the overall physical damage so far amounted to about $1.9bn (£1.4bn). | Separately, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimated that the overall physical damage so far amounted to about $1.9bn (£1.4bn). |
The UN has asked Israel to open Gaza's borders to allow in construction materials, but so far only basic humanitarian supplies have been let in. | The UN has asked Israel to open Gaza's borders to allow in construction materials, but so far only basic humanitarian supplies have been let in. |
Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said any further opening of the border depended on the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held by Palestinian militants since June 2006. | Israel's Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said any further opening of the border depended on the release of Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, who has been held by Palestinian militants since June 2006. |
Meanwhile, Arab foreign ministers meeting in Kuwait have failed to issue a statement on the Gaza situation because they disagreed over who was to blame for the conflict. | Meanwhile, Arab foreign ministers meeting in Kuwait have failed to issue a statement on the Gaza situation because they disagreed over who was to blame for the conflict. |
Egypt said Hamas had invited the attacks, while Syria said Israel should be declared a terrorist entity. | Egypt said Hamas had invited the attacks, while Syria said Israel should be declared a terrorist entity. |
Palestinian medical sources say at least 1,300 Palestinians were killed, nearly a third of them children, and 5,500 injured during the conflict. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, were killed. | Palestinian medical sources say at least 1,300 Palestinians were killed, nearly a third of them children, and 5,500 injured during the conflict. Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, were killed. |