Paris Slams 'Aggression' against Israel, Berlin Condemns Rocket Fire 'without Reservation'

France strongly condemns “aggression” against Israel and stands with it in the face of rocket attacks from Gaza, the French president told the Israeli prime minister on Wednesday in a phone call.

Francois Hollande "expressed France's solidarity (with Israel) in the face of rocket fire from Gaza" and told Benjamin Netanyahu "that France strongly condemns these aggressions," said a statement from the French presidency.

Hollande also said that it was up to Israel "to take all measures to protect its population in the face of threats" but reminded the Israeli premier "of the need to prevent an escalation of violence."

Later on Wednesday, German Chancellor Angela Merkel also condemned rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza in a telephone call with Netanyahu, a government spokeswoman said.

"The chancellor today telephoned Mr. Netanyahu and condemned without reservation rocket fire on Israel," she said.

"There is no justification" for such attacks, Merkel told Netanyahu, according to the spokeswoman.

Israeli warplanes continued to pound Gaza Wednesday, killing at least 30 people in a major new confrontation with Palestinian militants, as Hamas flexed its firepower and sent thousands running for shelters across Israel.

As the death toll from Israel's two-day Operation Protective Edge reached 57, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas accused Israel of committing "genocide" in Gaza, where hundreds of air strikes have been waged within days.