UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, has called on Israel and Hamas to stop all acts of violence. He said that they should do whatever it takes to avoid hurting innocent civilians.

The comments came on Monday as the UN chief urged the international community to do more to bring peace to the region.

Ban Ki-moon, UN Secretary General, said, "I am also pained at the death, injury and damage to United Nations personnel and premises as well as to others associated with our programmes. All this must stop. Both Israel and Hamas must halt their acts of violence and take all necessary measures to avoid civilian casualties. A ceasefire must be declared immediately. They must also curb their inflammatory rhetoric. Only then can dialogue start. Israel must keep open all border crossings necessary for the continued provision of humanitarian supplies. Israeli government leaders have given me a guarantee that such supplies and personnel would be allowed entry into Gaza."

(CCTV December 30, 2008)