Israel, Gaza cannot afford another full-blown war - UN secretary

The United Nations has since responded to the aerial conflict between Israel and Hamas, which has already ran for three days and has amassed a total of 74 casualties and several number of properties destroyed. The Associated Press said that as of Friday, over 900 targets have been attacked so far and had resulted to over 85 casualties and 300 civilians injured. UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has since cautioned both factions about the consequences of their conflict. Christian Science Monitor reported that the Security Council is expected to have an emergency meeting to discuss the Middle Eastern fighting.

Ban stated, "(This region cannot) afford another full-blown war. The deteriorating situation is leading to a downward spiral which could quickly get out of control. The risk of violence expanding further still is real."

AP noted that Ban has been a key player in diplomatic efforts to stop hostilities. Egypt, who has long been playing mediator between Israel and Palestine, has also claimed to have been in touch with both factions.

The Los Angeles Times said that Israel has hit 750 militant targets in Gaza at least in the three days since it has launched its offensive against Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The launch consisted with the use of underground rocket launchers and had supposedly hit homes of top members of the two militant groups. The number of targets is said to be over half of the target number during the eight-day-long military campaign against rocket launchers in Gaza by Israel in November 2012. BBC, on the other hand, has quoted Israel, who has claimed to have fired over 365 rockets from Gaza beginning Tuesday.

On Wednesday, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said about the attacks, "This war is not against Hamas or any faction but is against the Palestinian people."

CS Monitor said the US government represented by Secretary of State John Kerry has made steps hoping to scale back the crisis. Kerry has reportedly spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and has plans to speak also with Abbas.

Tags

Israel Gaza Strip attack, Israel-Palestine conflict, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon, United Nations

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