Ban Ki-Moon Criticizes Israel's Gaza Blockade

Ban said on Tuesday that "the closure of Gaza suffocates its people, stifles its economy and impedes reconstruction efforts."

"It's a collective punishment for which there must be accountability," he added as reported by Al Jazeera.

He pointed to the electricity shortage in Gaza and the unemployment that hit 50 percent among the coastal enclave's youths.

"We must speak openly about the unacceptable hardships faced by the people of Gaza in light of the humiliation, occupation and siege, as well as the division between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank," Ban said.

After visiting Gaza on his final trip to Palestine before his term of office expires in December, Ban held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas.

Speaking alongside Netanyahu at the prime minister's office in al-Quds (Jerusalem), Ban called for efforts to keep the possibility of a two-state solution alive.

"I encourage you to take the courageous steps necessary to prevent a one-state reality or perpetual conflict that is incompatible with realizing the national aspirations of the Israelis and Palestinian people," he said.

"We cannot ignore key underlying causes of violence: growing Palestinian anger, the paralysis of the peace process, the nearly a half-century of occupation."

Since October 1, Palestinian attackers have killed at least 28 Israelis, mostly in stabbing attacks.

Israeli forces or settlers have killed more than 200 Palestinians, including unarmed demonstrators, bystanders and attackers.