MOSCOW, July 25 (RIA Novosti) – UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon urged Israel and Palestine to agree to a ‘humanitarian pause’ amid the Muslim holiday of Eid al-Fitr, Agence France Presse reported Friday.
"On this, the last Friday of Ramadan, I call for an immediate, unconditional humanitarian pause in the fighting in Gaza and Israel. This pause would last through the Eid al-Fitr holiday period," a statement by the UN chief said.
Israel has been conducting its military operation in the Gaza Strip targeting the Hamas movement and its allied groups of Palestinian rebels since July 7.
Late July 17, following days of shelling and air strikes the Israeli military moved to a ground invasion bringing its troops and armored vehicles in the region.
According to the recent reports, over 800 Palestinians have already died and more than 5,000 have been injured during the operation. The Israeli side has lost 35 people, including 3 civilians.
