Pakistan on Wednesday regretted "the reports about Israeli incursion into Gaza, the total blockade of the Gaza Strip, and the destruction of Palestinian infrastructure."

Reports said on Wednesday that Israeli forces had taken up position in southern Gaza after an overnight incursion aiming at freeing a soldier captured by Palestinian militants.

"We are concerned over the escalation of hostilities between Israel and Palestine, which would further impede the international effort to stop the cycle of violence and restart the negotiations, " Pakistani Foreign Office Spokesperson said in a statement.

The spokesperson hoped that the international community would take the necessary steps to help resolve the crisis through peaceful means.

Source: Xinhua