New York - UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said Friday the flare-up in fighting that violated the ceasefire in Gaza Strip has the potential to inflict more suffering and violence to the civilian population.

Rockets fired into Israel by Palestinian militants and Israeli retaliation have threatened the truce agreed upon since June between the two sides, Ban said, calling on both sides to respect international humanitarian and human rights law.

Ban condemned and called for ending the rocket attacks against southern Israel. On the other hand, he said Israel should open up border crossings to allow food and other daily essentials reach the Palestinians.

"Measures that increase the hardship and suffering of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip as a whole are unacceptable and should cease immediately," Ban said.

He urged Israel to allow the UN Relief Works Agency for Palestinian refugees and all humanitarian agencies to resume relief activities in Gaza. (dpa)