SECRETARY-GENERAL, IN SUPPORT OF STATEMENT JUST RELEASED BY UN EMERGENCY RELIEF

COORDINATOR, UNDERSCORES URGENT NEED FOR DELIVERY OF HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA

The following statement was issued today by the Spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon:

The Secretary-General continues to express his concern at the humanitarian situation in Gaza.  He has underscored the importance of having Israel urgently permit the delivery of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza, and regrets that his calls have not yet been heeded.  The Secretary-General has been briefed on the humanitarian situation in Gaza by the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, and supports the statement just released by his office.

The Secretary-General reiterates his condemnation of rocket and other attacks by Palestinian militants against Israeli civilian targets.  He calls for an end to such attacks and urges full respect by all parties for the calm that has been in effect since 19 June.

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For information media • not an official record