Visiting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Thursday called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and for the opening of border crossings with the Gaza Strip.

Ban, who arrived in Israel on Thursday, was in the Jewish state to promote a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas that would end the 20-day Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Cast Lead Operation in the Hamas-ruled coastal enclave, which has so far killed more than 1,000 Palestinians.

In a joint press conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni, the UN chief said the death toll in Gaza had reached an "unbearable point," adding it was his understanding in talks with regional leaders in Egypt, Jordan and Israel that the fighting in Gaza was coming to a close.

"It is my assessment that there are certain elements in place that would enable a ceasefire, but it all hinges on the political will of both sides," he was quoted by local daily The Jerusalem Post as saying, reiterating that the international community expects an immediate ceasefire.

He also asserted that Israeli citizens have the right to live without fear of rockets, so the rocket attacks from Gaza must stop permanently.

Hamas' use of private homes and civilian institutions was "unacceptable," said Ban.

During the conference, Livni said that the Israeli government was forced to act in Gaza in order to protect Israeli citizens.

Gaza was ruled by "a terrorist regime" and Israel must have dialogue with moderate sources while simultaneously fighting terror, said the foreign minister.

"Hamas cannot become legitimate until it accepts the terms of the international community," she said.

Though affirming that Israel understands the concern of the international community, however, Livni said that Hamas is a problem not just for Israel but also for the Palestinians.

Hamas is an obstacle to the establishment of a Palestinian state, said the foreign minister.

On Thursday afternoon, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak met with Ban, as well as Red Cross President Jacob Kellenberger.

During the meeting, he told them that Hamas gunmen are using Palestinians as human shields, and are firing at IDF troops from the vicinity of UN facilities.

IDF soldiers would continue to return fire, in self-defense, stated the defense minister, adding that the IDF would also continue to prevent harm to civilians to the best of its ability, and all necessary humanitarian work of the UN would be facilitated.

Ban's week-long Middle East tour came as part of the UN efforts to push for the implementation of the latest UN Security Council resolution on Gaza. On January 8, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 1860, calling for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza "leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces."

Before the trip to Israel, the UN chief visited Egypt and Jordan. He is also scheduled to visit the Palestinian territories, Turkey, Syria, Lebanon and Kuwait to strengthen the joint diplomatic efforts to strive for an early end to the Gaza fighting.

(Xinhua News Agency January 16, 2009)