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UN chief expresses concern as Gaza conflict escalates
(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-05 09:31

Israeli soldiers advance across the border with the northern Gaza Strip January 4, 2009. Israeli soldiers and Palestinian militants battled on Gaza City's outskirts on Sunday after Israeli troops and tanks invaded the coastal enclave in the worst fighting in the conflict in decades. [Agencies]

In a statement, Ban said he "will be working actively with members of the council and other key players, in particular Arab leaders who I am seeing tomorrow at United Nations headquarters, to facilitate the emergence of a consensus."

"I believe the United Nations, in particular the Security Council, has a central role to play in bringing a speedy end to the conflict," Ban said. "I regret that the Security Council has not been able to reach a consensus."

He added: "Given the crucial juncture at which we have arrived in the search for a cease-fire, I appeal to all members of the international community to display the unity and commitment required to bring this escalating crisis to an end."

With more than 510 Palestinians killed in Gaza and over 2,500 injured, the Israeli government has come under strong criticism for the excessive use of force. Five Israelis also have died.

Israel maintains the offensive - one of the Mideast's bloodiest assaults in decades - is aimed at stopping rocket attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza that have traumatized southern Israel.

Wolff stressed that Israel is a sovereign state and has a right to defend itself against Hamas, which is committed to Israel's destruction and has been labeled a terrorist organization by the United States. Israeli leaders have said the offensive is aimed at damaging Hamas' infrastructure and ability to fire rockets indiscriminately at cities and towns.

Ban said he remains "extremely concerned about the deteriorating humanitarian situation" in Gaza.

The UN is in close contact with Israeli authorities and has urged them to open crossings to allow passage of flour and fuel for the Gaza power plant.