U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said Wednesday he was considering options for a U.N. peacekeeping mission in the Gaza Strip, amid calls from the international community to end violence among Palestinians. “This is an idea which we need to explore possibilities,” said Ban. “I think there are many issues which we will have to consider whether we agree or decide to have an international presence in Gaza, where to locate them, what would be the terms of reference of their mission, and all is not clear at this time.” Ban told reporters that he had spoken to a number of Security Council members on the Gaza violence and that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas asked him Tuesday to consider the option of peacekeepers. “I have yet to discuss more in detail with the countries concerned,” said Ban.
