Calm reigns in Gaza ahead of UN chief's visit

[laststeamtrain]

Source: AFP

Calm reigns in Gaza ahead of UN chief's visit
by Adel Zaanoun Adel Zaanoun 2 hrs 52 mins ago

GAZA CITY, (AFP) – Israel and Hamas observed their Gaza truce for a third day on Tuesday ahead of a planned visit by UN chief Ban Ki-moon to the war-battered enclave where Israeli troops remain deployed.

Apart from warning shots that an army spokesman said were fired by a naval vessel off the northern coast of the Gaza Strip, the ceasefire was holding firm.

Medical sources said the firing left one Palestinian wounded near Beit Lahiya.

Israel launched its massive assault on December 27 and began pulling back from the territory on Sunday as Hamas and other militant groups pledged a week-long truce.

Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090120/wl_mideast_afp/mideastconflictgaza_20090120084449

[dipsydoodle]

1. Gaza rebuild 'to cost billions'

Rebuilding the Gaza Strip after Israel's three-week offensive will cost billions of dollars, the UN has warned.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians have been left homeless and 400,000 people still have no running water, it says

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7839075.stm

[Soylent Brice]

4. wow. devastating.

thanks for the link.

[azurnoir]

2. Warning shots that left one wounded? n/t

[dipsydoodle]

3. Ban 'appalled' by Gaza's damage

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon says he is appalled by Israeli attacks on a UN compound in Gaza after seeing the destruction for himself.

Mr Ban said that those responsible should be held accountable and demanded a "full investigation" through proper judiciary systems.

He was speaking in front of the smouldering remains of the UN food warehouse destroyed by Israeli shells.

He said he would do all he could to help the population of Gaza.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/middle_east/7839863.stm