Israeli President slams Qatar over Gaza

Israeli President Shimon Peres on Wednesday accused Qatar of helping what he called "terrorism" in the Gaza Strip, which has been reeling under Israeli attacks since July 7.

Speaking at a joint press conference with United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Jerusalem, Peres said Qatar doesn't have the "right to send money of the oil to build tunnels and support the killing of the people."

"If they want to help to build Gaza then do. If they want to make Gaza the center of the death then stop it," Peres said.

The Israeli President claimed that terrorists are "holding the people as hostage" not only in Gaza but all over the world. "Today terrorism is the greatest danger to the integrity of all Arab countries in the Middle East," he said. "They (terrorists) are committed to death and destruction. They have no vision but seek and destroy."

Since July 7, Israel has pounded the Gaza Strip with fierce aerial bombardments with the ostensible aim of halting rocket fire.

At least 650 Palestinians have been killed - mostly civilians - and more than 4000 others injured in Israel's ongoing offensive, now in its third week.

Gaza-based resistance factions, meanwhile, have continued to fire rockets at Israeli cities in response to relentless Israeli bombardments.

According to official Israeli figures, 31 Israelis, including 29 soldiers, have been killed since the hostilities began.

Peres accused Palestinian group Hamas of wasting aid for building "tunnels and rockets."

"Instead of investing in education and healthcare, they (Hamas) wasted billions of dollars to build tunnels and rockets," he said.

The Israeli President also criticized airlines for suspending flights to Tel Aviv due to the Palestinian rocket fire.

"I regret for airlines has suspended flights. The real answer is not stop the flights but stop the rockets which are endangering the flights," Peres said. "I think whole nations are interested in freedom of lines which is as important as freedom of speech. If airlines will submit (to terrorism) then they invite greater danger."

U.N. chief Ban Ki-moon, for his part, said the international community has no time to lose for bringing peace.

"We failed in our previous effort to bring peace," Ban said. "Now, we have to work harder. We have no time to lose."

The U.N. chief said that more than 600 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3000 injured in the latest escalation.

"I can't be silent as death toll increases by hours. Violence must stop and dialog must begin," he said.

Israel's military operation, dubbed "Operation Protective Edge," is the self-proclaimed Jewish state's third major offen