TEL AVIV: France let lose all amicable gestures and targeted Israel after a Foreign Ministry employee was killed in Gaza. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna demanded an immediate explanation from Israel and an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Colonna, who arrived in Tel Aviv yesterday, demanded a ceasefire in a meeting with Israel's Foreign Minister Eli Cohen. The surging civilian deaths in the war-torn region were pointed out in the talks but Cohen reiterated Israel's position of not going for an immediate ceasefire.

An Israeli bombardment in Rafah on Wednesday destroyed the home of a member of the French consulate and killed one of the foreign ministry staff members there. The casualties also involved many Palestinian civilians.

Apart from France, UK and Germany also called for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza. Meanwhile, airstrikes killed 24 people in Jabalia in northern Gaza and 12 in Deir al-Balah. More than 18,800 people have lost their lives in Gaza so far.

At the same time, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu indicated that negotiations have begun for the release of hostages in Gaza. Netanyahu reiterated he would not back down from the offensive until he sees success, even if it requires ignoring pressure from international superpowers.

UN aid trucks from Israel crossed into Gaza yesterday for the first time since the start of the war. To this end, the Kerem Shalom border crossing between southern Gaza and Israel was temporarily opened. Aid trucks until now were reaching Gaza via Rafah on the Egyptian border.