The Hamas-led Palestinian government on Wednesday called on the international community to force Israel to stop offensives against the Gaza Strip.

The Israeli offensives called Summer Rains started in the wake of the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier by Palestinian militants on June 25.

Mohammed Awad, secretary-general of the cabinet, said that the United States has to pressure Israel, "so conferees over the issue can move safely and easily."

"There must be a proper atmosphere for dialogue, since the Israeli escalation has complicated the situation on the ground in a way that prevented conferees from moving freely," Awad said.

He renewed the government's appeal to the kidnappers to save the soldier's life and treat him well.

Egypt has been working to secure a peaceful solution to the crisis, though the abductors claimed that they have withdrawn from the talks.

Source: Xinhua