PARIS
France calls for an extension of the 12-hour humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, French Foreign Minister said on Saturday.
Laurent Fabius's remarks came after the declaration of a 12-hour ceasefire between Palestinian resistance factions and Israel, which began at 08:00 local time (05:00GMT).
The foreign ministers of the United States, Britain, Germany, Italy, Turkey, and Qatar came together for a day of talks in Paris.
Speaking on behalf of the ministers, Fabius said: "We want both sides to ensure a permanent ceasefire that will respond both Palestinians' socio-economic needs and Israel's security concerns."
Palestinian resistance factions and Israel began a 12-hour humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza, which has been reeling under a devastating Israeli military offensive since July 7.
Since July 7, Israel has pummeled the Gaza Strip – from air, land and sea – with the ostensible aim of halting Palestinian rocket fire.
Around 1,000 Palestinians have been killed – mostly civilians – and more than 5,900 others injured in Israel's ongoing offensive.
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