Special report: Israel launches Gaza assault    

    RAMALLAH, July 11 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat said on Tuesday that the Gaza Strip was in a humanitarian crisis against the backdrop of an ongoing massive Israeli offensive.

    Terming the situation in Gaza as "a true humanitarian crisis", Erekat said, "We confirm to the world that there is a hard and complicated humanitarian crisis for 1.4 million Gazans who suffer sharp shortages of food, medicine and electricity."

    The senior Palestinian official also urged international aid organizations to beef up their activities in Gaza.

    "We have to work on all levels (to solve the crisis)," said Erekat, adding that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas had flown to Jordan on late Monday for talks with Jordanian King Abdullah IIon Tuesday.

    Abbas will urge Jordan to exercise its influence on Israel to end the military operation in Gaza, said Erekat.

    "The president is making contacts with Arab and foreign countries in a bid to solve Gaza's plight in peaceful and diplomatic ways," he added.

    Israel has shut down crossings on the Gaza borders as its forces pressed ahead a massive ground and air offensive in the Gaza Strip to free an Israeli soldier kidnapped by Palestinian militants and prevent Palestinian militants from firing rockets onto Israel.

    Israeli airstrikes have damaged the only power plant in Gaza and key infrastructure including roads, bridges and main water and electricity supply lines.

    Aid agencies have warned of a humanitarian disaster in Gaza if the Israeli offensive and sealing of Gaza continue. Enditem