U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon has told Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert that he's worried a humanitarian crisis is brewing in the Gaza Strip. According to the AP,

Olmert's office said Ban voiced his concerns in a phone call Tuesday to the prime minister.

Israel has kept cargo crossings into Gaza almost totally sealed since Israel and Palestinians began trading fire two weeks ago.

Olmert's office said the prime minister told Ban that Hamas is to blame for the situation.

Despite Ban's call, Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak decided to keep Israel’s borders with the Gaza Strip sealed again on Wednesday. Israeli radio reported that this decision came after a meeting Barak held with representatives of the various Israeli security services.

© 2008 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)