UN chief calls on Hamas to accept cease-fire

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon is calling on Hamas to accept the Egyptian-initiated cease-fire in Gaza.

U.N. deputy spokesman Farhan Haq told reporters Tuesday that Ban spoke with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi on Sunday and "appreciates and fully supports" the cease-fire initiative.

"He is deeply worried that the fighting has not stopped despite Israel's readiness to accept the cease-fire proposal and the Palestinian Authority's support," Haq said.

"He calls on Hamas to cooperate with the Egyptian initiative and urges all sides to build on this opening of a diplomatic channel," the spokesman said.