Kuwait Calls for End to Gaza Bloodshed, Backs Truce

Kuwait called on the international community Sunday to apply pressure on Israel to "stop its aggression" on Gaza following a visit by Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal to the Gulf state.

Kuwait, which holds the rotating presidency of both the Arab League and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), also announced its backing for an Egyptian truce proposal which was turned down by Hamas.

Meshaal held talks on the conflict with Emir Sheikh Sabah al-Ahmed al-Sabah and met with Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Khaled al-Sabah, according to the state KUNA news agency.

The foreign minister "reiterated his call on the international community to shoulder humanitarian responsibility by applying pressure on Israel to stop its aggression, and providing protection for the Palestinian people," KUNA reported.

The minister "affirmed Kuwait's commitment and support for the Egyptian truce initiative which calls for an immediate ceasefire."

He also stressed the emirate's support for the Palestinian people and "condemned all Israeli criminal and aggression acts in Gaza that led to the killing and wounding of scores of innocent victims."

More than 400 Palestinians have been killed and thousands wounded after 13 days of an Israeli assault on Gaza. At least 60 of them were killed early Sunday in an Israeli attack on Shejaiya neighborhood.

Earlier this week, an Egyptian truce proposal was accepted by Israel, but snubbed by Hamas, which has since requested changes to the Egyptian plan.

Hamas is demanding a complete end to the Israeli blockade on Gaza, that the Rafah crossing with Egypt be opened, and that Israel free scores of veteran prisoners  re-arrested in recent weeks.

U.N. Secretary General Ban Ki-moon is due in Kuwait on Monday for talks with the emir over diplomatic efforts for a Gaza truce, KUNA said.