UN chief alarmed by recent statements from Hamas leadership in Gaza
UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 30 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon on Saturday said that he "is alarmed by recent statements from the Hamas leadership in Gaza about the group's intention to continue building tunnels and firing rockets at Israel." "Such statements and actions put at risk reconstruction, humanitarian and development efforts by the international community and Palestinian and Israeli authorities," the UN chief said in a statement issued here by his spokesman. "They also do a serious disservice to the long-suffering people of Gaza." "After three devastating conflicts in seven years, people in Gaza and the people of southern Israel deserve a chance for peace and development," said the statement. "Every effort must be made to improve the living conditions of the people of Gaza." "The secretary-general reiterates his condemnation of terrorism in all its manifestations," the statement added. During a funer...