Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas early on Saturday discussed the Egyptian initiative for ceasefire in the Gaza Strip in a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, local media reported.
Abbas insists on the need for bringing about immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while all other issues can be discussed on the negotiation table later, the official Palestinian news agency said.
Abbas is currently on a visit to Turkey, following a two-day visit to Egypt during which he discussed the latest Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip and means of bringing about a ceasefire there as well as the Egyptian ceasefire initiative.
Abbas also met with Hamas senior leader Moussa Abu Marzouq who lives in the Egyptian capital Cairo.
Abbas is expected to pay a visit to a number of Gulf countries before he returns to Ramallah.
Egypt on Monday proposed a ceasefire initiative in a bid to bring to an end an Israeli onslaught on the Gaza Strip, one that has left 306 Palestinians dead and 2250 others injured so far.
Israel has started a military operation against Gaza on July 7 with the stated aim of undermining the ability of Gaza-based movements to launch rocket attacks against Israeli cities.
By Qais Abu Samra
englishnews@aa.com.tr
www.aa.com.tr/en
