France on Friday urged Israel to put an end to its latest military operations in Gaza and called on the Palestinians to cease firing missiles at Israeli cities, as violence in the region continued to escalate.

"France is seriously concerned about the situation in the Middle East, an end must be put to the violence," French Foreign Ministry spokesman Jean-Baptiste Mattei said.

Paris called on the Palestinians to "end launches of rockets at the Israeli cities" and demanded the "immediate release without condition" of the captured Israeli Corporal Gilad Shalit, who also has French nationality, the spokesman said.

France urges Israel to "end its military operations in the inhabited zones" which has caused deaths among the civilian population and serious material damage, Mattei said in a statement.

Paris also called for the release of the arrested Palestinian ministers and members of Palestinian Legislative Council, adding that "the blockage of Gaza should be lifted and priority should be given to political process," said the spokesman.

Three Palestinians were killed on Friday by the Israeli army during its continuing an offensive in the Gaza Strip. Israeli troops are battling to stop the launches of rockets by the Palestinians and find the captured soldier.

Source: Xinhua