Secretary-General Says Humanitarian Ceasefire Extension ‘Absolutely Essential’

 

for Israeli-Palestinian Parties Negotiations in Cairo to Progress

 

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

The Secretary-General expresses his deep disappointment that the parties were unable to agree to an extension of the ceasefire in their talks in Cairo.  He condemns the renewed rocket fire towards Israel.  More suffering and death of civilians caught up in this conflict is intolerable.

The Secretary-General urges the parties to swiftly find a way back to respect of the humanitarian ceasefire and to continue negotiations in Cairo to reach a durable ceasefire.

The extension of the ceasefire is absolutely essential for talks to progress and to address the underlying issues of the crisis as soon as possible.  The Secretary-General firmly calls on the parties not to resort to further military action that can only exacerbate the already appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza.

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For information media • not an official record