MOSCOW, July 31. /ITAR-TASS/. Current top priority in Middle East peace talks is to reach a humanitarian ceasefire without delay, stop the bloodshed and ensure normal life and development for Gaza alongside security in Israel, Russia's Foreign Ministry said on Thursday.

“This should lay the basis for future agreements to rule out similar dangerous incidents and ensure normal living conditions, development of the Gaza Strip and security in Israel,” the ministry added, noting “deep concern” over events in Gaza.

"We also welcome and support efforts to fulfill the Egyptian peace initiative,” the ministry said. “We believe that joint efforts of all parties concerned are needed to promote Gaza crisis resolution.”

Casualty reports say more than 1,300 Palestinians have been killed and around 7,600 wounded since the start of the current conflict. Most victims have been civilians. Israeli strikes have caused massive damage to civilian infrastructure, including the shelling of a UN-run school in which 19 died.

Israeli losses have exceeded 50, most of them servicemen, during hostilities in which Hamas militants have launched 2,400 missiles into Israel.