We insist on the need to increase efforts to stop the bombing and meet the basic needs of the inhabitants of the enclave, the official said during an emergency meeting of the Arab League to address the situation there.

We remind the international community that for years Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas warned about violence and provocations by Israeli forces, the Foreign Minister said.

Al-Maliki accused Israel of rejecting peace talks and the creation of a Palestinian state.

After five days of bombardments, more than one thousand Palestinians were killed and another five thousand were wounded in that area, while more than 260 thousand fled their homes to take refuge in UN facilities.

In addition, the neighboring nation cut off water, electricity, food and fuel supplies to the territory.

During the escalation of violence, more than 1,200 Israelis also lost their lives, according to official figures.

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