RAMALLAH
In a Thursday phone conversation, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and U.S. Secretary of State John Jerry discussed Israel's ongoing air offensive against the embattled Gaza Strip.
During the conversation, Abbas "stressed the importance of reaching a ceasefire and halting Israeli aggression on Gaza," the Palestinian Wafa news agency reported.
The two officials agreed to remain in contact with a view to containing the crisis as soon as possible, the news agency added.
Since late Monday, Israeli warplanes have pounded the Gaza Strip as part of a military offensive – dubbed "Operation Protective Edge" – with the stated aim of ending rocket fire from Gaza.
At least 86 Gazans have been killed and hundreds injured since Monday by unrelenting Israeli airstrikes.
By Qais Abu Samra
www.aa.com.tr/en
