UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has joined international voices of opposition to the Israeli siege of Gaza, calling on Tel Aviv to change its strategy toward the impoverished strip.

Ban made the remarks at a closed-door meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.

Following the meeting, Ban’s office issued a statement outlining the issues discussed between the two officials.

According to the statement, the UN secretary general welcomed a decision announced by officials in Tel Aviv for "increasing the scope and quantity of materials entering the Gaza Strip from Israel."

The UN chief went on to say that more steps were now needed to meet the great needs of Gaza residents.

"Further steps must now follow to meet those needs and to allow the UN to accelerate and expand its efforts," Ban said, urging Israel to allow further UN activities in the besieged territory.

According to a UN spokesman, the Middle East peace process and a recent deadly attack by Israel on Gaza aid ships were among the issues discussed by the two officials.

(Press TV)