Ban urged the international community to support the enormous task of rebuilding Gaza, providing humanitarian aid to thousands in need and treating the wounded.
``We will build again, but this must be the last time to rebuild,'' the U.N. chief told the 193-member world body. ``This must stop now. They must go back to the negotiating table.''
``We must spare no effort to turn the current calm into a durable cease-fire that addresses the underlying issues of the conflict.''
He said that means opening Gaza crossings, lifting Israel's blockade and bringing the Hamas resistance group back under a unified Palestinian government.
The U.N.'s deputy humanitarian chief, Kyung-wha Kang, also said the United Nations and its partners have appealed for $367 million to address immediate needs for over 500,000 people _ more than one-quarter of Gaza's 1.8 million population _ who ``fled for their lives with nothing.'' She said 65,000 people who have lost everything because their homes were reduced to rubble.
Kang painted a grim picture of what she called the ``utter devastation'' in Gaza: 144 schools and other facilities damaged; a public health system ``on the verge of collapse'' with one-third of hospitals, 14 primary health care clinics and 29 ambulances damaged; more than one million people without access to water and very limited electricity; and the prevalence of unexploded ammunition.
Kang said the lack of electricity means hospitals can't power critical machinery, food production will decrease and water and sewage can't be pumped. Sewage back-ups could contaminate water, making the outbreak of disease ``a very serious risk,'' she said.
Ban said the ``the horror that was unleashed on the people of Gaza'' raises serious questions about international law and distinguishing between civilians and combatants, and proportionality in attacks.
U.N. human rights chief Navi Pillay also told the assembly that ``any attacks in violation of these principles, on civilians, homes, schools and hospitals, must be condemned, and may amount to war crimes.''
She told the assembly by videoconference that the casualty toll in this conflict _ nearly 1,900 Palestinians, the vast majority civilians, and 64 Israeli soldiers and three civilians _ tops conflicts in 2008-2009.
NJF/NJF