UN chief Ban Ki-moon reiterated his call today for Israel and Hamas to end the violence in Gaza, where bloodshed has cost more than 700 lives.
"I am standing here with very heavy heart. My message has always been consistent and strong, this violence must stop now," Ban told a joint news conference with Jordanian Foreign Minister Nasser Judeh in Amman.
"Everybody should work together... To bring this violence to an immediate end. They must stop now. Military solutions do not provide sustainable solutions."
The conflict has so far claimed the lives of at least 675 Palestinians and more than 30 Israelis.
Ban said an Egyptian truce proposal that was accepted by Israel and rejected by Hamas was "very good".
"The Egyptian government has provided a very good proposal. We are working along that proposal. I am here meeting world leaders to help (bring) peace to the people of Palestine, the people of Israel and the all people of this region," said Ban, who had stopped off in Cairo on Tuesday.
"I am meeting with important leaders who can play a key role in putting an end to this violence."
US Secretary of State John Kerry today said global efforts to end 16 days of bloodshed in Gaza were progressing.
Ban held talks in Jerusalem with Kerry and the two leaders appeared cautiously optimistic.
The UN chief also met with Jordan's King Abdullah II, whose country has a 1994 peace treaty with Israel.
"The king demanded an immediate end to the Israeli aggression on Gaza," a palace statement after the meeting.
"The situation in Gaza is very dangerous and unacceptable. There is no justification for the Israeli actions," the king told Ban, who will leave Amman for Saudi Arabia.
At the UN Security Council, Jordan yesterday submitted a draft resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire, protection for civilians and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.
The draft text, seen by AFP, calls for the lifting of the Israeli blockade of Gaza and renewed efforts to achieve a two-state peace deal for Israel and Palestine.
It remained unclear when the measure would come up for discussion before the Council, with the United States expected to raise objections over the text.
