U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon was met by angry protesters when he visited the Gaza Strip on Thursday.

The Associated Press said some 40 relatives of Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails gathered at the Erez Crossing between Gaza and Israel as Ban's convoy arrived. Many hoisted signs in English and Arabic reading, "Ban Ki-moon, enough bias to Israel." Some of the prisoners’ relatives hurled shoes and sticks at the convoy.

The report said the relatives were angry that Ban would not be meeting with them, and they formed a human chain at the crossing in a bid to block his vehicle. However, Ban entered Gaza with the help of security forces from the ruling Hamas militant group.

Ban’s visit was aimed at promoting the resumption of stalled peace talks between Israel and Palestine.