Miliband wants ceasefire as Israeli forces enter Gaza
By politics.co.uk staff
David Miliband has added his voice to the growing international chorus for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli troops began a ground operation in the Palestinian territory yesterday which left 12 Palestinians dead and 30 Israeli soldiers wounded.
The foreign secretary responded by saying there was an “urgent need” for a “durable ceasefire” which would ensure an end to arms smuggling into Gaza and the opening of crossings into the territory.
United Nations secretary-general Ban Ki-moon also called for an immediate end to the ground offensive in the area.
He urged Israel to ensure that civilians were protected in Gaza and that humanitarian aid reached those in need.
The UN security council is set to hold an emergency meeting today to discuss the escalation of the conflict between militant group Hamas and the Jewish state.
France’s ambassador to the UN said that while all members were keen to stress their support for diplomatic efforts and a resumption of peace talks, there was “no formal agreement” on a resolution.
US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice said that the US was in favour of a ceasefire but did not want a return to a situation where Hamas could fire rockets on Israeli territory.
She called for a “durable and sustainable” ceasefire and blamed Hamas’ rejection of an extension to a six-month long ceasefire as the reason for the outbreak of violence between the two countries.
French president Nicolas Sarkozy will visit the region tomorrow in an effort to boost diplomatic efforts to end violence in the area. A European Union delegation is also set to accompany the French leader on the visit.
Israel has previously warned that a ground operation could last “many days”. Khaled Meshaal, the exiled Hamas leader, has said that a “black destiny” awaited Israel if a ground offensive was launched.
Hamas has claimed to have captured two Israeli soldiers but there is yet to be official confirmation of this from the Israeli side.
