UN chief Ban heading to Middle East in attempt to quell Israeli-Hamas conflict in Gaza
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A U.N. official says Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon will leave Saturday for the Middle East to help mediate the conflict in Gaza between Israel and Hamas.
Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman was speaking Friday afternoon at a U.N. Security Council emergency meeting on the conflict in Gaza.
He also said a ceasefire is "indispensable" for urgently needed humanitarian efforts to succeed. He said the U.N. refugee agency was already stretched to its limit.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Thousands of Israeli soldiers crossed into the Palestinian territory on the 10th day campaign of heavy air bombardments to try to destroy Hamas' rocket-firing abilities and the tunnels militants use to infiltrate Israel.
Jordan asked for Friday's meeting after Israel launched a ground invasion of Gaza on Thursday.