ISLAMABAD, Muharram 3, 1434, Nov 17, 2012, SPA - Egyptian President Mohammad Morsi telephoned Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf on Friday evening to discuss the situation in Gaza arising out of the aerial bombardments by Israeli war planes in which several Palestinians were killed and many injured. The President of Egypt requested Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf for Pakistan’s support when the Palestine issue is raised at international forums specially the United Nations Security Council. The Prime Minister said that Pakistan strongly condemns Israeli air attacks in Gaza that have targeted not only the Hamas leadership but also innocent civilians, according to a report of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). He said that Pakistan considers the Israeli action as a grave violation of international law and all humanitarian norms. He added that Israeli threats of a ground offensive against Gaza are even more disturbing. While talking to President Morsi, the Prime Minister said that unless the Palestinian problem is resolved, peace in the Middle East will remain elusive. The Prime Minister expressed concern that the escalation in violence could lead to spreading of conflict which may engulf the region. --SPA 13:52 LOCAL TIME 10:52 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/1049553