U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is concerned by the level of violence in Gaza but expressed hope that the cease-fire brokered by Egypt will hold, U.N. spokeswoman Michele Montas said Monday. Ban “calls on the Palestinian Authority to take the necessary steps to restore law and order, and for all factions to abide by the ceasefire,” Montas told reporters. Ban was appreciative of recent mediation efforts and thanked Egypt for its role in the negotiations, Montas said. The secretary-general remains “deeply concerned” about the disproportionate use of military force by Israel, Montas said.
