DHAKA: United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has urged Israel and the Palestinians to ‘stop fighting’ and ‘start talking’ to end the conflict in Gaza.

He was speaking in Israel as diplomatic efforts intensified.

More than 600 Palestinians and 29 Israelis have been killed in the past 14 days of fighting, officials say, reports the BBC.

Earlier, US Secretary of State John Kerry said an Egyptian plan could form the basis of a ceasefire.

Speaking in Egypt, Kerry said the US was concerned about Palestinian casualties, but lent his support to Israel’s ‘appropriate and legitimate’ military operation.

He also said the US was sending $47m in aid to Gaza ‘to alleviate the immediate humanitarian crisis’.

Kerry is expected to stay in Cairo until at least Wednesday for talks with Egyptian officials and the Arab League chief Nabil al-Arabi.

BDST: 2121 HRS, JUL 22, 2014