UN Security Council Calls for Gaza Cease-fire

EDITH M. LEDERER, Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is demanding an end to the violence in Gaza "in the name of humanity" and is accusing the leaders of Israel and Hamas of being irresponsible and "morally wrong" for letting their people get killed.

Ban urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal on Monday to demonstrate "political will" and "compassionate leadership" to end the suffering.

The U.N. chief reinforced the U.N. Security Council's call early Monday morning for "an immediate and unconditional humanitarian cease-fire."

Ban said "Gaza is in critical condition" after pummeling by Israeli forces that has killed helpless civilians and raised "serious questions about proportionality."

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