U.N. might fine Israel for Gaza damage

JERUSALEM, June 12 (UPI) -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said he is considering assessing an $11 million fine for damage caused to U.N. facilities in Gaza against Israel.

Ban said he was acting on recommendations made by a committee established to determine the damage caused by Israeli security forces to U.N. buildings in Operation Cast Lead in Gaza, Ynetnews.com reported Friday.

Touching on the situation in the Gaza Strip, Ban warned if the border crossings remain closed, "the people of Gaza will slide into even deeper hardship, with the risk of further radicalization."

The report failed to mention which committee recommended Israel be slapped with a monetary fine.

Earlier this month Defense Minister Ehud Barak informed Ban Israel will not cooperate with a special committee headed by South African jurist Richard Goldstone, who was tasked with investigating whether Israel had committed war crimes during the military operation in Gaza earlier this year.