U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said this summer's war between Israel and Hamas was the result of Israeli "occupation" and called on both sides to participate in talks for a two-state solution,
The Jerusalem Post reports.
"We must not lose sight of the root causes of the recent hostilities: a restrictive occupation that has lasted almost half a century, the continued denial of Palestinian rights, and the lack of tangible progress in peace negotiations," Ban said at a donor conference in Cairo on Sunday. The conference's purpose is to raise funds to repair damage from the fighting.
"I call on all parties to come together to chart a clear course towards a just and final peace – including achieving a full lifting of the blockade, ensuring Israel’s legitimate security concerns; and establishing two states living side by side in peace and security."
Ban said a return to the status quo is not an option.
"This is the moment for transformational change," he said.
Israel and Hamas attacked each other over a seven-week period with rockets. The fighting was sparked largely by the kidnapping and killing of three Israeli teenagers on their way home from school.
Israel shot down most of Hamas' rockets with its Iron Dome defense system, but critics complained that Israeli rockets were aimed at civilian areas. Israel said it aimed only at Hamas targets, but that Hamas placed its weapons systems near homes, schools and mosques.
About 2,200 people were killed in the fighting, mostly Gazans.
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