French President Francois Hollande sent a message of hope to the people of Israel and Gaza, during a WW1 commemoration ceremony alongside the German President Joachim Gauck in Alsace.

The Presidents marked the 100th anniversary of the start of the First World War at a ceremony at Hartmannswillerkopf, the site that saw some of the worst fighting during the war.

More than 30,000 French and German soldiers died during the fighting in Hartmannswillerkopf. Within one year, the mountain peak was won and lost eight times.

The show of solidarity between France and Germany, formally bitter enemies but now strong allies, comes at a poignant moment as the world's attention is focused on the increasing crisis in Gaza.

"To those who are losing hope about the peace process in the Middle East, we couldn't send a more beautiful message than today's. France and Germany's history proves that determination can overcome fatality. And that two people who were viewed as hereditary enemies can, within a few years, reconcile," said Hollande.

The fighting between Israel and Gaza's Hamas looks set to continue, despite international efforts to secure a ceasefire and begin peace talks between the two parties.

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