Algeria appealed to the UN Security Council to hold an emergency session on the situation in the Middle East, to stop Israel's aggression against the Palestinian people, Algerian Foreign Ministry said in a statement issued on Monday.

The statement said the latest development in the Gaza Strip constitutes a "flagrant violation" against the Palestinian people's sovereignty and has seriously harmed the peace process in the region.

"Before the situation deteriorates, Algeria has demanded, in the name of Arab nations, an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council, to effectively reject the criminal acts against the Palestinian people, representatives and leaders," said the statement.

Algeria called on the international community to take appropriate measures to halt the Israeli aggression. It is making diplomatic efforts to make sure that the Palestinian National Authority and the Palestinian people get proper protection, the statement added.

The Israeli army launched a series of offensives in the Gaza Strip after Palestinian forces captured an Israeli soldier on June 25. The international community has urged both sides to show restraint to prevent the situation from further escalating.

Source: Xinhua