The Arab League on Monday condemned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's order to launch unlimited military operations in the Gaza Strip.
"The order given by Sharon to the Israeli army for unlimited military operations against the Palestinians is a dangerous escalation of violence against the Palestinian people," the league said in a statement.
"This serious development will complicate the situation, especially after Israel decided to freeze contacts with the elected leadership of the Palestinian people," the statement said.
The pan-Arab organization also called on the international community to help protect the Palestinians.
On Jan. 13, Palestinian militants launched a deadly attack on an Israeli checkpoint at the Karni passage in the Gaza Strip, killing six Israelis.
The bloody incident prompted Israel to cut all ties with the new Palestinian leadership, while Sharon on Sunday decided to give Israeli troops free rein to "stop terror" in the Gaza Strip.