UN chief Ban Ki Moon is engaged in a diplomatic offensive in order to bring about a ceasefire to end the Israeli-Hamas violence.

Ban held talks with Palestinian President Mahmood Abbas in Qatar as he undertakes a whirlwind tour of the region taking in Kuwait, Egypt, Israel and the Palestinian territories.

Ban urged an end to the bloodshed : “I repeat my demand to all sides that they must respect international humanitarian law the violence must stop now.
Gaza is an open wound we must stop the bleeding now as I travel the region I will continue to press for demands for a ceasefire. “

Meanwhile Abbas is due to meet Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal later in Qatar in order to discuss an Egyptian ceasefire proposal.