EU voices concern over deadly Gaza flare-up

(BRUSSELS) - The European Union voiced concern Monday about the latest flare-up of deadly violence on the Israeli-Gaza border and called on both sides to show restraint.

Six Palestinians were killed in a round of tit-for-tat attacks that kicked off on Saturday including a barrage of rocket fire from Gaza that wounded eight people in Israel.

"I am very concerned by the latest escalation of violence between Gaza and Israel," European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton said, condemning the firing of rockets and mortars into Israel.

"I... call on both sides to refrain from exacerbating the situation," she said in a statement, adding that she supported efforts by Egypt to try to broker a truce.

"There is no place for violence in the Middle East. It is only through resumed negotiations that the legitimate aspirations of both Palestinians and Israelis will be met, through a two-state solution."