Special report: Palestine-Israel Relations

    UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 18 (Xinhua) -- U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon appealed again Friday for an immediate end to the violence gripping Gaza and affecting communities in southern Israel, his spokeswoman Michel Montas said.

    Ban repeated his calls Thursday for an immediate cessation of Palestinian sniper and rocket attacks into Israel, and for maximum restraint on the part of the Israel Defense Forces, Montas said.

    The U.N. chief again reminded the parties of their obligation to comply with international humanitarian law and not to endanger civilians.

    Ban expressed "particular concern" at the decision early Friday by Israel to close all crossing points between Gaza and Israel.

    "Such action cuts off the population from much-needed fuel supplies used to pump water and generate electricity to homes and hospitals," Montas said. "If this situation endures, the closure will also cause further shortages of food, medical and relief items in the Gaza Strip."

    "The secretary-general calls on Israel to refrain from actions that will harm the well-being of the general civilian population in Gaza," she said.

    Ban also expressed deep concern that the hostilities taking place on the ground would undermine the hopes for peace generated by the political process begun at the U.S. city of Annapolis in Maryland.

    More than 30 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli ground and air raids in the Gaza Strip and West Bank since Tuesday.

    Israel has said the intensive air strikes are aimed at reining in Gaza militant groups, who have claimed responsibility for intensified homemade rocket attacks into Israel.