Protesters in Gaza threw shoes, sand and small stones at the convoy of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as he entered the Gaza Strip for a visit

Protesters in Gaza threw shoes, sand and small stones at the convoy of UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon as he entered the Gaza Strip for a visit on Thursday.

AFP reported that a group of Palestinian people, many of them relatives of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, threw objects at Ban's car as he drove past them.

The demonstrators were protesting Ban's refusal to meet with them to discuss the situation of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.

Some held signs reading "Ban Ki-Moon, enough bias for Israel."

President Mahmoud Abbas met with Ban and called on Israel to stop settlement building and lift the blockade on Gaza, Palestine TV reported.

The UN chief had earlier visited Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging the Israelis "to act in a constructive spirit and offer goodwill gestures which will create a positive dynamic."

Abbas said that the Palestinian leadership will discuss the recent exploratory talks in Amman at a follow up Arab League committee meeting on Feb. 4.

He stressed that Israel must lift the ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip and steps must be taken to support the budget for UNRWA's work.

The UN chief praised Palestinian state-building and discussed the issue of settler violence.

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