Tel Aviv, July 23 (RHC)-- United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has expressed condolences to the Israeli regime for its losses. The UN chief made the remarks at a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu upon his arrival in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.

Ban said that he extended his "deep condolences to the prime minister and to the people of Israel on the fatalities from the recent escalation." He also called on Tel Aviv to exercise what he called "maximum restraint" in its attacks against the besieged enclave. The Israeli prime minister, for his part, claimed the regime did not want civilian casualties in Gaza.

Israeli warplanes have been carrying out incessant airstrikes against Gaza since July 8th. Last Thursday, thousands of Israeli soldiers launched a ground invasion into the densely-populated strip.