EU calls for halt to rocket fire from Gaza into Israel

Brussels, May 4 (AFP) The European Union on Saturday called for rocket fire from Gaza into Israel to "stop immediately" and threw its backing behind efforts by Egypt and the UN to calm the situation. "The rocket fire from Gaza towards Israel must stop immediately. A de-escalation of this dangerous situation is urgently needed to ensure that civilians' lives are protected," EU spokeswoman Maja Kocijancic said in a statement.

"Israelis and Palestinians both have the right to live in peace, security and dignity." Gaza militants on Saturday fired dozens of rockets at Israel, which responded with strikes that killed two Palestinians including a baby, officials said, as another escalation between them threatened a fragile ceasefire. The latest flare-up came with Hamas, the Islamist movement that rules the blockaded Gaza Strip, seeking further concessions from Israel under the ceasefire.

"Only a political solution can put an end to the violence," the EU statement said. (AFP) SCY SCY