(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Secretary-General strongly Ban Ki-moon condemned the killing of at least 10 Palestinian civilians in a shelling outside an UNRWA school in Rafah, south Gaza Strip, on Sunday, describing it as a "moral outrage and criminal act." He urged the parties to stop the "madness," according to a statement by his press office.
"United Nations shelters must be safe zones not combat zones - This attack, along with other breaches of international law, must be swiftly investigated and those responsible held accountable. It is a moral outrage and a criminal act," the statement said.
Ban reiterated demand to the parties to "immediately end the fighting and return to the path of peace. This madness must stop." "Profoundly dismayed" over the appalling escalation of violence and loss of hundreds of Palestinian civilian lives since the breach of the humanitarian ceasefire on August 1, Ban said today's attack is yet another "gross violation of international humanitarian law," which clearly requires protection by both parties of Palestinian civilians, UN staff and UN premises, among other civilian facilities.
He said the resurgence in fighting has only exacerbated the man-made humanitarian and health crisis wreaking havoc in Gaza, stressing that restoring calm can be achieved only through resumption of the ceasefire and negotiations by the parties in Cairo, Egypt, to address the underlying issues.
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