The government this morning said it deeply regretted the collapse of the humanitarian truce in Gaza and called on both parties to exercise restraint and avoid the continued loss of innocent civilian lives.

It said that while stopping the bloodshed was an immediate priority and attempts at a durable ceasefire should persist, this could not happen in a vacuum and clear parameters defining the basis for negotiations were essential for a lasting solution.

Foreign Minister Goerge Vella condembed the unprecedented number of civilian casualties in Gaza.

He said the killing of women, children and UN staff during an attack on a UN school shelter on July 25 was particularly deplorable. He also drew attention to the increasingly deteriorating humanitarian situation with over 100,000 displaced Palestinians in Gaza.

The ministry said it was instrumental in securing the safe and unimpeded exit of a small number of Maltese nationals from Gaza over the past few days.