US calls for durable, sustainable ceasefire (2nd Roundup)

By JT Nguyen Jan 7, 2009, 0:33 GMT

New York - The United States pitched a plan on Tuesday for a comprehensive solution to end the Israel-Hamas conflict by engaging the warring parties to abide by a durable and sustainable ceasefire.

The plan would reopen crossings into the Gaza Strip and end all weapons smuggling by Hamas.

US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the UN Security Council in New York that a durable ceasefire would return 'true calm' between the two sides and end Hamas' firing of missiles into Israel.

Rice disclosed that Israeli leaders had agreed to open a corridor on Wednesday to allow imports of humanitarian supplies to the besieged Palestinians in Gaza.

'It should be a solution this time that does not allow Hamas to use Gaza as a launching pad against Israeli cities,' Rice said. 'It has to be a solution that does not allow the re-armament of Hamas, and it must be a solution that finds a way to open the crossings so Palestinians in Gaza can have a normal life.'

Rice called for re-establishing the legitimate rule of the Palestinian Authority over Gaza and establish the normal operations of 'all crossings.'

She said that the United States supports the declaration by the Arab League and Egypt, in particular, demanding the reopening of the crossings.

'The international community should adopt an intensive reconstructive initiative with a donor conference that will complement efforts by the PA in Gaza,' she said. 'There should be an effort to reconstruct Gaza.'

The 15-nation Security Council convened the emergency session late Tuesday to hear envoys from 25 countries, including 14 foreign ministers, on the crisis in Gaza. The conflict since December 27 has killed hundreds and left more than 2,000 people wounded.

The urgent nature of the meeting was palpable as high-ranking officials from Arab countries, and the Arab League held closed-door talks at UN headquarters in New York to work out a resolution to the 11-days-old fighting.

The Arab diplomats had made their demands known in various meetings held by the Arab League in Cairo and during meetings Monday in New York.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon reiterated his demand for an immediate and durable ceasefire as casualties were mounting, aggravated by the deaths of at least 46 Palestinians when the Israeli army shelled a UN-run school in Gaza.

Ban announced that he will be in the Middle East next week, visiting Israel, the Palestinian territories and several Arab capitals. The week-long trip through the Middle East will help him gain first-hand information on the Gaza crisis.

Ban asked the Security Council to work out a resolution before he embarks for the Middle East.

He denounced both Israel and Hamas amid mounting civilian casualties following the shelling of three UN-run schools Tuesday in Gaza. Israel alleged that Hamas militants were firing from the schools.

'I am deeply dismayed that despite these repeated efforts, today's tragedies have ensued,' Ban said. 'These attacks by Israeli military forces, which endanger UN facilities acting as places of refuge, are totally unacceptable and must not be repeated.'

'Equally unacceptable are any actions by militants, which endanger the Palestinian civilian population,' he said. 'Today's events underscore the dangers inherent in the continuation and escalation of this conflict.'

In his address to the Security Council following his visit to the White House to meet with US President George W Bush, Ban repeated his calls for an 'immediate ceasefire, durable and respected fully by all sides. Immediate humanitarian measures, including open crossings for humanitarian assistance, should be ensured.'

He called for the reunification of Gaza and the West Bank 'within the framework of the legitimate Palestinian Authority.' The Islamic militant movement Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 from the Palestinian Authority, which still rules the West Bank.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said: 'There is an urgent need to find a firm foundation upon which a holistic settlement can end this destructive conflict.'

Abbas rejected any resolution that maintains the separation of Gaza from the West Bank.

The Israeli Ambassador to the UN, Gabriela Shalev, told the Security Council that Israelis have been traumatized by the constant fire of rockets and mortars by Hamas into southern Israel. She said that the Iranian-made missiles were putting the lives of 1 million Israelis at risk.

'We have to defend ourselves, not against the Palestinians but against the terrorists who have taken them hostages,' Shalev said. She said every life lost, whether Israeli or Palestinian, is a 'tragedy.'

Despite the high-level participation in the meeting in New York, the Security Council did not yet have a draft resolution reflecting the demands made by Ban and Arab governments. A draft worked out by Arab diplomats last week was rejected by the United States, which branded it one-sided because it singled out and condemned only Israel for the conflict.