Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault    

    ALGIERS, July 8 (Xinhua) -- The consultative committee of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) issued a statement on Saturday condemning Israel's incursions into Palestinian territory and its "inhumane actions" against Palestinians.

    The deteriorating situation is a result of Israel's flagrant violation of the fundamental norms of international law and relevant agreements with the Palestinian side, the statement said.

    Israel's military operations in the Gaza Strip are a dangerous escalation of the country's state terrorism, the statement said.

    It urged the international community to act promptly to stop the Israeli operations and provide security guarantees to the Palestinians within the framework of relevant UN resolutions, so as to realize lasting peace and justice in the region.

    Israeli forces launched a massive ground offensive in the Gaza Strip on June 28 in a bid to rescue an Israeli soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants.

    UMA was founded in 1989 by Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia. Enditem