CAIRO: United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon refused to divulge whether Israel had prohibited him from visiting the Gaza Strip 19 days after the Israeli offensive.
Asked at a press conference in Cairo Wednesday with Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit whether Israel refused to allow him entry into Gaza, Ban responded, “I will not give you any details about what I have been discussing with the Israeli government. I have tried to visit Gaza but the circumstances have not allowed me to visit at this time.
The Secretary General was repeatedly asked on this point, and he responded by reiterating his desire to visit the Strip, adding that it was not possible considering the current circumstances.
He promised that he would go as soon as a ceasefire took effect.
Regarding reports that Israel had used white phosphorous against Gaza civilians, which is prohibited under international law, Ban said that he did not have independent confirmation on the use of that chemical weapon.
“But I appeal to all the parties very strongly to stop such types of things if they do [it], because of the terrible and indiscriminate effect it has on the civilian population, particularly in a densely populated area such as Gaza, he said, to which Aboul Gheit quickly responded saying that “the Israelis are using such weapons and the Palestinians do not have anything to respond [with]. They have to stop it, I have seen it on TV; it is a scandal.
Asked about Israel’s disregard of the UN Security Council’s resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire six days ago Ban said, “All the member states of the United Nations have an obligation to abide by the Security Council resolutions, they are binding by nature. I will urge the Israeli leaders to abide by this.
The Secretary General met with President Hosni Mubarak Wednesday morning to discuss the latest developments in the proposed ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. He also met with First Lady Suzanne Mubarak to discuss reconstruction efforts in Gaza once a ceasefire takes effect.
“The purpose of my mission today is to bring an immediate ceasefire, immediate halt, to violence, he said, “I urge all the parties to stop this fighting now. We have seen so many people die, more than 900 people have been killed, more than 4,000 have been injured and many thousands of people have lost their homes. And there is no time to lose for us and for the people in Gaza.
Aboul Gheit also stressed the need for an immediate ceasefire. “The first order of the day is an immediate ceasefire. Then we build on this by agreeing on the withdrawal then the opening of the crossings [which] no doubt [will] entail some kind of arrangement in relation to what kind of presence will be in the crossings. Is it the European Union, is it some other force? That remains to be seen.
Ban also had a working lunch with Aboul Gheit before meeting the Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa.
A Hamas delegation was in Egypt Wednesday to meet with Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman. Israeli defense ministry official Amos Gilad is due to visit Egypt Thursday for “decisive talks.
The UN head said, “Clearly many Palestinians have been killed, wounded and traumatized and there has been extensive destruction to civilian property and infrastructure. That is a very sad and unacceptable situation. Israelis also have been killed and traumatized by continued rocket launching by Hamas into Israel. These Hamas rockets must stop and I have also condemned excessive military operations by Israelis. Both parties need to be reminded of their obligations under international humanitarian law.
Ban is due to travel to Israel today to meet officials there as well as the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank. He will also travel to Jordan, Turkey, Lebanon and Syria.
