UN chief worried about Gaza
2008-11-19 14:07
Jerusalem - UN chief Ban Ki-moon has told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that he's worried a humanitarian crisis is brewing in the Gaza Strip.
Olmert's office says Ban expressed his concerns in a phone call on Tuesday to the prime minister.
Israel has kept cargo crossings into Gaza almost totally sealed since Israel and Palestinian militants began trading fire two weeks ago. That's kept most supplies from reaching the impoverished strip.
Olmert's office said the prime minister told Ban that the Islamic militant Hamas group that rules Gaza is to blame for the situation.
The renewed violence has frayed a five-month-old truce.
Ban spoke with Olmert the same day the UN's top human rights official called on Israel to immediately end its blockade of Gaza.
- AP