Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said late Saturday that "extensive calls" made by Egypt for an end to the aggression on Gaza are being met with "stubbornness and escalation" by Israel.

Mahlab's comments came during a press statement in Upper Egypt's Luxor where he also affirmed Egypt's full rejection towards what "our brothers in the [Gaza] Strip are being subjected to."

He added that Egypt "will continue to present sacrifices for the Palestinian cause, which is surely the primary cause for Arabs."

More than 165 people have been killed since Tuesday when Israel launched Operation Protective Edge against the besieged Palestinian strip.

Israeli officials announced Saturday that Gaza militants have fired approximately 525 mortar rounds and rockets that struck Israel, while another 138 rockets were intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defence system, reported AFP.

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