His Majesty king Abdullah II held talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on the situation in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli military operations have killed many Palestinians over the past few days.

King Abdullah said that Jordan is doing its utmost with the international community to bring about an end to the Israeli military operations and ease the suffering of the Palestinian people.

He reiterated that violence and counter-violence will not bring security to neither Israelis nor Palestinians and said the parties must return to the peace process to end the crisis to alleviate Palestinian suffering. Jordan will continue to deliver humanitarian aid to the Palestinians he said, and would continue to coordinate the delivery of aid from Arab states and international organizations via Jordan.

President Abbas briefed the King on the situation in Palestinian lands and appealed for Jordan's continued efforts with the international community and the United Nations to end the Israeli operations. He also reviewed efforts of the Hamas-led government and other Palestinian factions to crystallize a unified Palestinian political position to deal with the international community.

President Abbas thanked His Majesty for his continued efforts to end the Israeli military escalation against the Palestinians and help the Palestinians overcome an acute economic crisis.

Abbas told reporters upon his return to Ramallah that he also met Prime Minister Ma'arouf Al Bakhit to discuss the current situation, the difficult economic and security conditions, and ways to break the deadlock.

The President said Israel needed to end its aggression against the Palestinian people, especially unarmed Palestinian civilians and said it was now important to calm the situation and not allow people to lose hope.