DAMASCUS, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- Syria condemned on Saturday the Israeli military strikes on the Gaza Strip as a "heinous crime and convicted terrorist act," the official SANA news agency reported.

    "Syria follows, with deep concern, the brutal Israeli aggression on the Palestinian people in Gaza and stresses that what is going on is a heinous crime and convicted terrorist act," an official source was quoted as saying.

    "Syria condemns this appalling crime and calls on the Arab nations and the international community to use all available means to pressure Israel to stop this aggression immediately, allow the transfer of the injured and insure them the medical care, and open all crossings to allow access of foodstuffs and health needs to the besieged Palestinian people," added the source.

    The source said Syria, in its capacity as head of the current session of the Arab summit, calls upon Arab leaders to hold an emergency summit to discuss the grave situation in Gaza.

    The statement came hours after Israel launched airstrikes into Gaza in retaliation against Hamas' continued artillery fire at southern Israel.

    At least 195 people in the besieged enclave have reportedly been killed in the recent wave of Israeli airstrikes.

    Israeli military said it was ready to continue intensified operations against Palestinian militants in the Gaza Strip for as long as necessary.