UN Secretary-general Ban Ki-moon has told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that he is disappointed at continued violence in Gaza even after the adoption of a Security Council resolution urging immediate ceasefire, a UN spokesperson said on Friday.

The secretary-general made a telephone call to Olmert on Friday afternoon and expressed "his disappointment that violence is continuing on the ground in disregard of yesterday's Security Council resolution," Michele Montas told reporters.

Earlier in the day, Israel declared that it will continue its operation in the Hamas-ruled enclave despite the ceasefire resolution.

By a vote of 14-0, the Security Council overwhelmingly approved resolution 1860 on Thursday night, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza leading to a full Israeli withdrawal.

Speaking at Thursday's Council meeting, Ban said he was "heartened and relieved" at the adoption of a resolution to bring an end to the "tragic situation."

The resolution signaled "the will of the international community," and must be "fully respected by all parties to this conflict," Ban said.

Ban also said that he plans to travel to the region next week to help ensure that the ceasefire is implemented and urgent humanitarian assistance reaches those in need, and encourage the diplomatic efforts currently underway.

(Xinhua News Agency January 10, 2009)