Foreign Minister Tonio Borg expressed deep concern at the Israeli airstrikes which killed at least 205 people in the Gaza Strip.

Dr Borg called on Palestinian militants to halt all rocket attacks on Israel and said Israel must "do everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties".

The strikes, the most intense Israeli attacks on Gaza for decades, come days after a truce with Hamas expired.

Dr Borg said peaceful means were "the only way of reaching a lasting solution to the situation in Gaza" and called for support for the Palestinian government of Mahmoud Abbas.

"I am deeply concerned by continuing missile strikes from Gaza on Israel and by Israel's response. These missile strikes are designed to cause random destruction and to undermine the prospects of peace talks led by President Abbas.

“I understand the Israeli government's sense of obligation to its population. Israel needs to meet its humanitarian obligations, act in a way to further the long-term vision of a two-state solution, and do everything in its power to avoid civilian casualties.

“Everyone understands that Israel has a right to defend itself but violence would not lead to a resolution. In the end, the only progress will be political progress and a settlement between the Israelis and the Palestinians. That is what's desperately needed," Dr Borg said.