France condemns Israeli strikes on Gaza and urges ‘immediate’ end to hostilities

France on Tuesday condemned Israel’s renewed strikes on Gaza and urged an “immediate” end to the hostilities it says are endangering efforts to free the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and the lives of Palestinian civilians. “France condemns the Israeli strikes carried out since yesterday on the Gaza Strip, which have caused numerous civilian casualties,” the French Foreign Ministry said. “France calls for an immediate end to hostilities, which are jeopardising efforts to free the hostages and threatening the lives of the civilian population in Gaza,” it added.