U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem Jacob Walles on Sunday called for solving the Gaza crisis over the abduction of an Israeli soldier by Palestinian militants.

Walles made the call at a news conference held in the West Bank city of Ramallah after a meeting with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

But the U.S. diplomat refused to specify the way to settle the crisis.

Moreover, Walles stressed that the U.S. hoped to secure the release of the abducted 19-year-old Israeli soldier, Gilad Shalit, while voicing concerns about the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories and the ongoing Israeli Gaza military operation.

"We are also concerned about the Palestinian civilians and their living conditions in addition to the strained security conditions in the Gaza Strip," he said.

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat, who also attended the news conference, said that the Palestinian National Authority handed a list of urgent needs to Walles.

"We gave a list of Gaza's daily needs including necessities, fuel to provide electricity to the hospitals which are filled with wounded people, and medicine which begins running out," said Erekat.

Israeli troops pressed ahead a broad ground and air offensive in the Gaza Strip on Sunday in a bid to free Shalit who was kidnapped by Palestinian militant in a cross-border raid on June 25 and halt Palestinian militant rocket firing.

Israeli airstrikes have damaged the only power plant in Gaza and key infrastructure including roads, bridges and main water and electricity supply lines.

Meanwhile, crossings on the Gaza borders have also been shut down, blocking the movement of goods and people in and out of the desert coastal strip.

It is the first major Israeli military move in Gaza since Israel completed withdrawing forces and settlers from it last September after 38 years of occupation.

Source: Xinhua