Region | Palestinian Territories
Israel defence minister rejects UN call to open Gaza crossings
Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday rejected a United Nations call to humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through crossings.
- Agencies
- Published: 15:26 November 19, 2008
Occupied Jerusalem: Israeli Defence Minister Ehud Barak on Wednesday rejected a United Nations call to humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip through crossings.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon asked Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Tuesday “to facilitate the freer movement of urgently needed humanitarian supplies" and aid workers into the Gaza Strip, the UN press office said.
But Barak told Israeli Army Radio that “there needs to be calm in order for the crossings to be opened."
Barak acknowledged in the radio interview that the violence was touched off by the Israeli raid, which the army said destroyed a tunnel at the frontier that Gaza militants dug and could have been used to try to seize Israeli soldiers.
The United Nations and humanitarian agencies have voiced concern that Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip could soon spiral into a humanitarian crisis.
"Israel is sensitive and attentive to the humanitarian needs. But also, Hamas has to impose the ceasefire on smaller groups and this will help it receive more goods through the crossings," Barak said.
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