Photo: IRIN

Palestinians wait outside the main gate of the Rafah border crossing as they attempt to get to Egypt (file photo).

Washington — U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has called for an immediate ceasefire as Israel's pounding of Gaza enters its sixth day.

Ban Ki-moon's call for a truce came on the heels of the single deadliest attack, an Israeli airstrike that killed a family of 10, in the conflict that began with militant rocket attacks from Gaza that saw Israel respond with an aerial offensive.

"This must stop," Ban said late Sunday. He called on both sides to co-operate with Egyptian-led effort to broker a cease-fire. "...I am heading to the region to appeal personally for ending the violence and contribute to ongoing efforts to that end," he added.

At least 76 people, have been killed in Gaza--since Israel began its aerial campaign, the Palestinian Health Ministry said early Monday.