Visiting UN Secretary-General Ban Ki- moon asserted in Cairo on Tuesday that all sides should cease fire in Gaza immediately.

At a joint press conference with Arab League chief Nabil al- Arabi, Ban Ki-moon urged Israel to stop its airstrikes on Gaza right now, saying he held a constructive talk with Arabi.

Visiting the Middle East in light of the tight situation in Gaza, Ban called on all sides to stop violence and extended condolence to the families of those killed in Gaza.

Meanwhile, "Ban will visit Israel and then return to Cairo," said Arabi.

In a bid to end the escalating deadly conflict between the Israelis and Palestinians, Ban arrived in Egypt on Monday for a two-day visit to discuss the latest developments in the region with Egyptian senior officials.