Syria on Thursday called for an "effective and unified" Arab stance to curb Israel's escalating military operations in the Gaza Strip and Lebanon.

Syrian Vice President Farouk al-Shara made the remarks while meeting with visiting Chairman of the Political Department of Palestine Liberation Organization Farouq Qaddoumi, the official SANA news agency reported.

"Only a unified and effective Arab stance can rein in the aggressive tendency of Israel in light of the silent and double standards by some international parties toward regional issues," Shara said in a statement cited by SANA.

Tensions in the Middle East region have been heightened as Israel pressed ahead a massive offensive in the Gaza Strip and intensified attacks on Lebanon.

Israeli warplanes pounded Lebanon and the navy blockaded Lebanese sea ports after Lebanese Hizbollah militia kidnapped two Israeli soldiers and killed eight others on Wednesday.

Israeli forces also entered southern Lebanon to search for the two soldiers.

About 50 Lebanese have been killed so far.

While in the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops pressed ahead a broad operation in a bid to free an Israeli soldier snatched by Palestinian militants on June 25 and halt Palestinian rocket attacks.

Over 80 Palestinians including civilians have been killed since Israel started the grand offensive on June 28.

Source: Xinhua