Palestinian Prime Minister and senior Hamas leader Ismail Haneya demanded Israel on Wednesday to end its ongoing massive ground operation in the Gaza Strip aimed to free an abducted soldier.

"Israel must end its aggression in the Gaza Strip," Haneya said in a statement, warning Israel against continuing the offensive which he said would "further complicate and worsen the situation."

The prime minister also voiced hope for a "positive response" from Israel.

In addition, Haneya revealed that he, together with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, had contacted Egyptian officials and the Arab League in a bid to solve the current crisis "in a suitable way."

Haneya also urged the UN Security Council to make direct intervention to press Israel to put an end to its Gaza offensive.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops were set to broaden the "Summer Rain" operation, preparing to enter the northern Gaza Strip in coming hours.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has vowed "extreme actions" to bring home the 19-year-old soldier who was snatched by Palestinian militants during a cross-border raid on Sunday.

Israeli troops, backed by helicopters and tanks, intruded into the southern Gaza Strip on early Wednesday, in their first major offensive in Gaza which Israel quit last summer after 38 years of occupation.

Source: Xinhua