Top UN official calls for cease-fire between Israel, Hamas in Gaza

UN Under-Secretary-General Lynn Pascoe was quoted on Wednesday as calling for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. "In the absence of a ceasefire, violence continues," Reuters quoted him as saying. "During the [mid February-mid March] reporting period more than 100 rockets and mortars have been fired into Israel from Gaza. These attacks, targeting civilian areas, are irresponsible and must cease," he added.