UN chief welcomes fresh ceasefire in Gaza

United Nations: UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed Egypt’s announcement that the Israelis and the Palestinians have accepted another 72 hours’ unconditional humanitarian ceasefire and urged all sides to avoid steps that would lead to a resumption of violence.
Ban expressed “his strong hope that this will give the two sides, under Egyptian auspices, another chance to agree on a durable ceasefire for the benefit of all civilian populations and as a starting point to address the underlying grievances on both sides,” according to a statement from his spokesperson here on Sunday.
Ban urged all concerned to work constructively towards resolving differences and avoid any steps which would lead to a “return violence”.
He said the United Nations stands ready to assist in the implementation of an agreement that would consolidate peace and allow for much-needed reconstruction and development of Gaza.
Ban’s Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, has been in Cairo working in support of Egyptian efforts to halt the fighting. The latest ceasefire began at 12:01 am local time Monday. It follows a three-day ceasefire that ended on Friday.(PTI)