Post date: Nov 21, 2012 10:28:56 PM
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon welcomes the Gaza ceasefire announcement between Hamas and Israel. Ban also cautions against losing sight of the greater goal of a negotiated two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians.
UNITED NATIONS (NOVEMBER 21, 2012) (UNTV) - United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he "warmly welcomed" the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel over their recent conflict in the Gaza Strip.
Speaking the the U.N. Security Council in New York via a video link from Tel Aviv Airport inIsrael, Ban said, "I commend the parties for stepping back from the brink, and I commend President Mursi of Egypt for his exceptional leadership."Israel and the Islamist Hamas movement ruling the Gaza Strip agreed on Wednesday to an Egyptian-sponsored ceasefire to halt an eight-day conflict that killed 162 Palestinians and five Israelis.
If it holds, the truce will give 1.7 million Gazans respite from days of ferocious air strikes and halt rocket salvoes from militants that unnerved a million people in southern Israeland reached Tel Aviv and Jerusalem for the first time.
"Our focus now must be on ensuring the ceasefire holds and that all those in need inGaza - and there are many - receive the humanitarian assistance they need. It is a huge relief for the people of Gaza and Israel, and for the international community, that the violence is stopping. But we are all aware of the risks. And we are all aware that there many details that must be solidified for a broad, durable ceasefire to take firm hold over the longer term," said Ban.
According to a text of the agreement seen by Reuters, both sides should halt all hostilities, with Israel desisting from incursions and targeting of individuals, while all Palestinian factions should cease rocket fire and cross-border attacks.
Israel withdrew unilaterally from the Gaza Strip in 2005, but maintained control over its borders. The United Nations says it remains an occupied territory, along with the West Bank.
"We must not lose sight that peace must remain our ultimate and priority goal. A negotiated two-state solution ending a prolonged occupation and ending the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians is more urgent than ever. Achieving this vision, which has been affirmed by this Council repeatedly is long overdue and paramount to the stability of the region. Only a just and comprehensive peace can bring lasting security to all," Ban told the council.
The Palestine Liberation Organization, led by Mahmoud Abbas, wants the West Bank,Gaza and East Jerusalem for an independent state.