The Executive Council of the African Union (AU) condemned on Friday the recent strikes by Israeli forces on Gaza, urging Israel to immediately put an end to the offense.

In a statement, the AU ministerial meeting said it was "deeply dismayed and shocked by the recent air, ground and sea aggression launched by the Israeli forces on the Palestinian territory of Gaza", which costs a thousand lives and a massive destruction to the place.

It said it was also gravely concerned by the humanitarian catastrophe created by the Israeli aggression in Gaza.

The AU foreign ministers condemned the Israeli aggression and called on the United Nations (UN) to start an investigation to punish those violating human rights and committing war crimes.

The meeting welcomed the UN resolution on the conflict which "calls for an immediate, durable and fully respected cease-fire, leading to full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza".

It urged Israel to put an end to its aggression against the Palestinian people, lift the embargo, and "open without delay all the border crossings to allow free movement of goods and persons and most importantly humanitarian aid into the region."

In the statement, the Council renewed its support for the Palestinian people in their fight to establish an independent state with Jerusalem as its capital.

It also calls on the international community to provide " urgent and appropriate" assistance for the reconstruction of Gaza.