Israel-Palestinian Violence: U.N.’s Ban Ki-Moon Jets to Region Amid Tensions

The United Nations’ Secretary General was jetting to the Middle East on a last-minute trip Tuesday in an attempt to defuse a deadly spiral of violence gripping the region.

 

Ban Ki-moon sent a message to Israelis and Palestinians ahead of his surprise visit, calling for calm from both sides and stressing that violence was not the answer to resolving their differences.

 

“I am dismayed — as we all should be — when I see young people, children, picking up weapons and seeking to kill,” he said in the video message. “Let me be clear: violence will only undermine the legitimate Palestinian aspirations for statehood and the longing of Israelis for security.”

 

At least 8 Israelis have been killed by Palestinians in near-daily stabbing and shooting attacks over the past month. More than 40 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in clashes over the same period of time.

 

News of Ban’s visit came amid two more attacks in Israel. Israel’s military said a Palestinian stabbed an Israeli soldier during a violent riot near Hebron early Tuesday, adding that the soldier was lightly wounded and the assailant was shot on site.

 

Hours later, a Palestinian tried to ram his car into pedestrians at a West Bank bus stop before getting out of his vehicle and trying to stab people, according to the Israeli Army. One civilian and one soldier were wounded in the attack, at Gush Etzion junction. The attacker was shot and killed, Israeli police said.

 

Read More: Israel-Palestinian Violence: U.N.’s Ban Ki-Moon Jets to Region Amid Tensions – NBC News