Escalation of violence in the Gaza Strip – Noon Briefing – SecGen Spokesperson’s Office (excerpts)

DAILY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE OFFICES OF THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE SECRETARY-GENERAL

AND THE SPOKESPERSON FOR THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY PRESIDENT

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Question:  I was wondering if there is any statement or response from Mr. Ban Ki-moon on the escalation of violence and bloodshed between the two movements of Hamas and Fatah in the Gaza Strip and also regarding the Israeli military operations against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

Spokesperson:  As the SG has said, he is very concerned about the continued violence in Gaza and he calls for the immediate cessation of that violence.  About the Fatah-Hamas discord, the Secretary-General also feels that Palestinian unity is needed to implement peace, and he believes that internal divisions need to be overcome peacefully and politically.  And this is the reaction I have at this point.

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