Paris  - The European Union on Saturday called for an immediate end to hostilities in the Gaza Strip, following Israeli airstrikes on the territory which have left at least
155 people dead.

The EU also criticized what it called Israel's disproportionate use of force, in a statement from the current presidency of the union in Paris.

The French foreign ministry on behalf of the EU renewed its call for a permanent ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, and said that there could be no military solution to the conflict in the Gaza Strip.

All crossing points into Gaza should be opened, to allow the supply of food and fuel to the Strip, which has suffered under an economic and military blockade by Israel since 2007, the statement said.

The EU called on Gaza's neighbouring territories, in particular Egypt, to exert every effort to arrange a ceasefire. (dpa)