UN chief stresses "critical importance" of ending hostilities in Gaza

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Monday underlined "the critical importance" of ending hostilities in the Gaza Strip, and strongly urged all sides to "avoid any further escalation at this time."

The secretary-general, in a statement issued here by his spokesman, said that he has learned with concern that leaflets are reportedly being dropped by the Israeli Defence Forces in the northern Gaza Strip Monday evening, warning tens of thousands of residents to leave their homes and evacuate to Gaza City.

"If true, this would have a further devastating humanitarian impact on the beleaguered civilians of those areas of the Gaza strip, who have already undergone immense suffering in recent days," the statement said.

"The United Nations agencies present in Gaza do not have the resources on the ground to cope with, or provide assistance to, an enormous extra influx of desperate people," said the statement.