Speaking in Gaza, Ban said families were living under "unacceptable, unsustainable conditions". Photo by wordpress.com
The UN chief has said Israel's blockade of Gaza is causing "unacceptable suffering," during a Middle East visit to reinvigorate the peace process.
Ban Ki-moon told Gazans that "we stand with you" as he visited an area damaged by Israel's offensive 14 months ago, the BBC reported.
His visit to the region comes amid tension over Israel's plans to build more settlements in East Jerusalem.
Israel imposed a tightened blockade after the Islamist Hamas movement seized power in June 2007.
Speaking in Gaza, Ban said families were living under "unacceptable, unsustainable conditions".
Ban said it was "distressing" for him to see damage to housing remaining, with no reconstruction possible under the blockade.
The blockade has prevented the UN from completing housing projects, but Ban pledged to continue providing aid to Gazans,
"My message to people of Gaza is this: the United Nations will stand with you through this ordeal," he said.