BEIJING, Nov. 20 (Xinhuanet) -- International Mideast envoy Tony Blair held a series of meetings with i and Palestinian leaders amid the continuing violence in the Gaza Strip and southern Israel.

Palestinian Leader Mahmoud Abbas and Mideast envoy Tony Blair have met for talks, with both leaders urging efforts to resume the Mideast peace process.

When meeting with Israeli President Shimon Peres, Blair said he hopes a cease-fire could reached between Israel and Gaza-based militant groups in the coming days.

Peres also reiterated Israel's goals are to stop the rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip. Israel launched its current offensive last Wednesday after months of intensifying rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, which have continued despite Israel’s strikes.

Over 1, 300 targets in the Gaza Strip have been hit since the Israeli operation began. However, military activity over the past two nights has dropped as targets change and international efforts to wrest a cease-fire move ahead. So far, Israel and Hamas have put forth widely divergent conditions for a truce.

(Source: CNTV.cn)