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UN demands flow of goods to Gaza UN demands flow of goods to Gaza
(about 5 hours later)
The UN humanitarian chief has urged Israel to fully open all crossings with Gaza to allow a free flow of goods. UN humanitarian chief John Holmes has urged Israel to fully open all crossings with Gaza to allow a free flow of goods.
John Holmes said unless Israel allowed building materials into Gaza, no reconstruction could begin there. Mr Holmes said that unless Israel allowed building materials into Gaza, no reconstruction could begin there.
He said a recent truce between Israel and Hamas militants did not include any deal on the opening of the crossings, which are tightly controlled by Israel. The UN says rebuilding Gaza after Israel's three-week offensive against Hamas militants will cost billions of dollars.
The UN earlier said rebuilding Gaza after Israel's three-week offensive would cost billions of dollars. Early on Wednesday, Israel said it had completed its troop pull-out from Gaza.
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 last soldier left the Gaza Strip this morning," an Israeli military spokesman told journalists. 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
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said on Tuesday he was appalled by Israeli attacks on a UN compound in Gaza after seeing the destruction for himself. "However the army remains deployed all around the Gaza Strip to meet any eventuality."
Mr Ban said that those responsible should be held accountable and demanded a "full investigation". Palestinian medical sources in Gaza say at least 1,300 Palestinians were killed, nearly a third of them children, and 5,500 injured in the Israeli operation, which began on 27 December.
He later visited the southern Israeli town of Sderot, which has been one of the main targets of Palestinian rocket attacks in recent years.
Ban Ki-moon: 'I have seen heart-breaking scenes'
Mr Ban described the rockets as indiscriminate weapons and said the attacks by Hamas are violations of basic humanitarian law.
Palestinian medical sources in Gaza say at least 1,300 Palestinians were killed, nearly a third of them children, and 5,500 injured since Israel launched its operation on 27 December.
Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, have been killed, the Israeli army says.Thirteen Israelis, including three civilians, have been killed, the Israeli army says.
'Difficult' access'Difficult' access
At a news conference in New York on Tuesday, Mr Holmes said it was "absolutely critical" that building materials - like cement and pipes - were allowed into Gaza to rebuild the Palestinian territory. At a news conference in New York on Tuesday, Mr Holmes said it was "absolutely critical" that building materials - like cement and pipes - were allowed into Gaza. GAZA LATEST class="" href="/1/hi/in_pictures/7839665.stm">In pictures: Devastation in Gaza class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7838598.stm">New Israel phosphorus accusation class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7838465.stm">Gaza doctor's loss grips Israelis class="" href="/1/hi/world/middle_east/7812295.stm">Agencies 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
"Otherwise, the reconstruction effort won't get off first base," he said."Otherwise, the reconstruction effort won't get off first base," he said.
The recent truce between Israel and Hamas militants does not include any deal on the opening of the crossings, which are tightly controlled by Israel.
So far Israel has been allowing only basic humanitarian supplies - like food and medicine - into Gaza.So far Israel has been allowing only basic humanitarian supplies - like food and medicine - into Gaza.
Mr Holmes, who is expected to visit Israel on Wednesday, also stressed that he would be pushing Israel to allow international aid organisation into Gaza.Mr Holmes, who is expected to visit Israel on Wednesday, also stressed that he would be pushing Israel to allow international aid organisation into Gaza.
"In theory, they have permission. In practice, it's proving very difficult to get into Gaza.""In theory, they have permission. In practice, it's proving very difficult to get into Gaza."
EU foreign ministers are due to meet Israeli representatives for talks later on Wednesday.EU foreign ministers are due to meet Israeli representatives for talks later on Wednesday.
Ban Ki-moon: 'I have seen heart-breaking scenes'
On Tuesday UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he was 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".
He later visited the southern Israeli town of Sderot, which has been one of the main targets of Palestinian rocket attacks in recent years.
Mr Ban described the rockets as indiscriminate weapons and said the attacks by Hamas were violations of basic humanitarian law.