CAIRO, October 30. /TASS/. Arab states hold consultations on preparation to an emergency summit, dedicated to the situation in the Gaza Strip, says Jamal Rushdi, Spokesman of the Arab League Secretary General.

"Intense consultations on preparation of an emergency Arab summit for discussion of the military escalation in the Gaza Strip are underway," Rushdi told Al-Qahera al-Ekhbariya.

According to the spokesman, this summit "will provide a clear impetus to the Arab and international position regarding the situation" in the Palestinian enclave.

The official said that the Arab League stay in contact "with all forces in order to pressure Israel to stop the offensive in the Gaza Strip." However, according to Rushdi "some states give Israel time to end its military operation in Gaza and reject the ceasefire demand."

On October 28, President of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas contacted Arab leaders asking to convene an emergency summit in order to "stop the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people."

The situation in the Middle East has escalated abruptly after an armed infiltration of HAMAS militants from the Gaza Strip into Israel. The HAMAS movement considers this attack a response to the actions of Israeli authorities towards the Al Aqsa Mosque at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Israel announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip and started carrying out strikes on the enclave and certain areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also taking place in the West Bank.