JERUSALEM, Nov. 20 (Xinhua) -- Jordan's King Abdullah II has urged Israel to stop its raids on the Gaza Strip and prevent a escalating military operation, local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported Thursday.

    Abdullah made the call in a secret meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Defense Minister Ehud Barak in Amman on Tuesday, according to the report.

    Abdullah is concerned that a large-scale action in Gaza might have serious impact on his country as well, said the report, adding despite Abdullah's request, the Israeli side made it clear that if the rocket attacks on the Gaza-vicinity communities continue, Israel would be forced to respond.

    Meanwhile, the London-based Arabic newspaper al-Hayat reported that during the meeting, the two sides also discussed the Israeli-Palestinians negotiations and Abdullah stressed the need to continue negotiations towards a two-state solution.

    "The establishment of a Palestinian state is a strategic interest of Jordan and a precondition for regional peace," the king said, demanding the Israeli government to take immediate steps to relieve the suffering of the Palestinian population to create an appropriate atmosphere for the resumption of the talks.