UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said the ground operation in the Gaza Strip will provoke escalation of regional tension.

UN head arrived in Cairo on Monday within the framework of his regional trip to support Egypt’s efforts into settlement of the conflict. Ban Ki-moon said he would leave for Israel to urge the leadership to put an end to violence and respect commitments to international and humanitarian law.

Talking at a press conference in Cairo, he warned Israel against ground operation in the Palestinian enclave, RIA Novosti reported.

Israel decided to postpone launching of a land operation in the Gaza Strip. A government source told AFP the decision is made to give more time for the diplomatic settlement of the conflict held under Egypt’s mediation.