Bulgaria has expressed concern over rising tensions between Israel and the Palestinians over a kidnapped Israeli soldier, local media reported on Friday.

"Bulgaria voices its concern over mounting tensions and the deteriorating security situation in the Middle East," Foreign Ministry spokesman Dimiter Tsanchev said in a statement.

Tsanchev condemned the kidnapping of 19-year-old Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit and urged the Palestinian authorities to secure his release.

"We find such terrorist acts unacceptable and not in the interest of either side," he said. "Their only effect is to increase tension and minimize the possibility of restoring dialogue."

Tsanchev urged both sides to "show restraint and keep alive the hope of reviving the negotiation process, rekindled by positive signals over the last few days."

Shalit was seized during a raid by Palestinian militants on an Israeli outpost near the Gaza border early Sunday.

Israel retaliated by sending ground troops to the Gaza strip and launching air strikes on Palestinian targets.

Earlier Thursday, Israeli forces arrested a number of officials in the Hamas-led cabinet, including Labor Minister Muhammad Barghouti, Finance Minister Omar Abdel Razek and Minister of Jerusalem Affairs Khaled Abu Arfa.

Source: Xinhua