Amman - Jordan's King Abdullah II on Saturday issued a fresh appeal for a prompt action by the world community to force Israel to stop its offensive on the Gaza Strip, where he said the humanitarian situation had deteriorated drastically.

The monarch made the remarks during a telephone conversation with the envoy of the so-called Middle East Quartet Tony Blair, according to a royal court statement.

"The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip has deteriorated to the point where the world community should drop its silence and move promptly to ensure a cessation of the Israeli aggression," King Abdullah told Blair.

"Israel has to know that aggression will not enable it to obtain security which can only be achieved through giving back all legitimate Palestinian rights, foremost statehood," he said. (dpa)