UN calls for Israel-Gaza ceasefire

13 July 2014

At least 135 Palestinians have died following airstrikes on Gaza

The UN Security Council has called for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

“The Security Council members called for de-escalation of the situation, restoration of calm, and reinstitution of the November 2012 ceasefire,” said ambassador Eugene Richard Gasana of Rwanda, which holds the council’s rotating presidency for July.

“The Security Council members further called for respect for international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.”

Israel and Hamas have engaged in a cycle of rocket attacks into Israeli towns and airstrikes on Gaza targets for more than a week, which has resulted in at least 135 Palestinian deaths, according to Palestinian officials.

Tensions on the border of Gaza have increased after heavy violence and protests in east Jerusalem and northern Israel since the beginning of July. The conflicts were prompted by the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teenagers, which was followed by the revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager.

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