His Majesty King Abdullah on Saturday said that because of the ongoing Israeli attacks, the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated to an extent that cannot be tolerated.

He added that the international community should press Israel to stop the aggression immediately and open the border crossings to allow medical and humanitarian aid into the enclave and to evacuate the wounded.

During a telephone call with Tony Blair, the Quartet's Middle East envoy, the King stressed that the international community should work to stop the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and save the region from the consequences of the Israeli aggression.

King Abdullah reiterated that the attacks would not bring security to Israel, which should realise that the only way to achieve security is through ensuring that the Palestinians regain their legitimate rights, particularly the right to establish an independent state on their national soil.

The King and Blair discussed Arab and international diplomatic efforts to stop the military operations against Gaza.