Osama bin Laden has called for Muslims to wage a holy
war against Israel over the invasion of Gaza.
The Al Qaeda leader called for jihad in an audio tape
that appeared on Islamist websites.
The news came as United Nations secretary-general Ban
Ki Moon visited the Middle East to press for an immediate
ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.
More than 900 Palestinians have been killed since the
Israeli conflict with Hamas began.
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A UN Security Council resolution adopted last Thursday
calls for a truce, a full withdrawal of Israeli forces
and measures to prevent arms smuggling and reopen all
border crossings into Gaza.
Mr Ban is in Cairo for talks with Egyptian President
Hosni Mubarak, who launched an initiative with France
a week ago aimed at achieving a temporary halt to the
fighting followed by a permanent cease-fire and arrangements
on border security.
