Egypt continues mediation to solve Gaza crisis: sources

Egyptian mediators are continuing efforts to solve the Gaza crisis over the abduction of an Israeli soldier by Palestinian militants although the kidnappers announced withdrawal from negotiations, well-informed Egyptian sources in Gaza said on Tuesday.

"The mediating efforts are still going on in a bid to end the tensions in the Palestinian territories and the Egyptian delegation is still making contacts with all parties to find an exit of the current crisis," the sources told Xinhua via telephone on condition of anonymity.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Foreign Ministry urged Arab countries in a statement issued on Tuesday to work on stopping the Israeli military offensive in the Gaza Strip aimed to free the kidnapped soldier, stressing that the Palestinian people had the right to defend themselves.

The ministry also criticized the international community for being "slow in finding a suitable mechanism to stop the Israeli escalation of violence."

A deadline set by three Palestinian militant groups for Israel to release Palestinian women and minors and 1,000 prisoners in Israeli jails in exchange for the kidnaped soldier expired at 6:00 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Tuesday.

Israel has rejected the ultimatum, vowing no negotiations with the Palestinian militants.

In response, the militants who hold the soldier hostage announced that they decided to withdraw from talks with the mediators.

The Israeli army started a broad ground offensive in the Gaza Strip on June 28 in a bid to rescue the 19-year-old Gilad Shalit kidnapped by Gazan gunmen during a cross-border raid on June 25.

It is Israel's first major Gaza operation since the Jewish state completed withdrawing forces and settlers from the strip last September after 38 years of occupation.

Egypt, a regional heavyweight, has been actively mediating between concerned parties toward a diplomatic solution to the Gaza crisis.

Source: Xinhua