( dpa ) - German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier called Sunday for calm between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
"The escalation of violence in Gaza causes me great concern," he said in a statement issued by the Foreign Ministry in Berlin.
The missile attacks against Israel had gained a new character with the rockets reaching the Israeli town of Ashkelon.
"This is unacceptable. Israel must preserve the principle of proportionateness," he said.
Steinmeier added he was "especially concerned" at Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas suspending peace contacts with Israel late Saturday in protest at the Israeli attacks on Gaza.