A spokesman for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) said on Saturday that no satisfactory deal had been reached yet to solve the Gaza crisis triggered by the abduction of an Israeli soldier by Palestinian militants.

The spokesman, who did not reveal his name, said in a written statement, "All concerned parties are exerting efforts to end the crisis without disasters, but till now, no satisfactory solution has been reached."

"The coming few hours are crucial, sensitive and dangerous," the statement added.

"Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is still exerting utmost efforts to end the Israeli aggression and avoid the Palestinians more dangers and disasters," it said.

Israeli troops crossed the border and entered the southern Gaza Strip on early Wednesday in a bid to rescue the kidnapped soldier.

It is the first major Israeli ground offensive into the Gaza Strip since Israel pulled out forces and settlers from it last summer after 38 years of occupation.

But the Israeli army has delayed entering the northern Gaza Strip in order to give more time for mediation.

Earlier, Palestinian militants who held the Israeli soldier hostage demanded Israel release 1,000 Arab and Muslim prisoners jailed by Israel in exchange for information on the soldier, which was rejected by Israel.

Source: Xinhua