United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Israel to immediately halt its ground operation in the Gaza Strip.

The U.N. media room said Ban talked to Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert over the phone after Israel launched the ground assault, expressing fears over tension increasing in Gaza.

Ban requested that Israel do all it can to ensure the protection of civilians and that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.

He will continue to urge members of the international community to exert all influence to end the violence.