LUXEMBOURG, Oct 11 (AFP) - The European Union Monday condemned Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli targets but said Israel's military riposte in the Gaza Strip was "disproportionate".
EU foreign ministers meeting in Luxembourg said in a statement they "called upon both parties to end the spiral of violence and to implement their obligations."
They repeated their commitment to the so-called roadmap drawn up by the EU, Russia, the United Nations and the United States as being the only way to reach a lasting peace.
The 25 ministers expressed their "grave concern at the unprecedented cycle of retaliatory violence in Israel and the occupied territories."
The minister repeated their earlier "entire and unconditional condemnation" of all forms of terrorism, including rocket attacks on Israel, and called on the Palestinian Authority to take firm action to halt them.
"The (EU ministers) also condemned the disproportionate nature of the Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip. These actions have claimed the lives of many innocent civilians, including children, and left many injured," a statement said.
They demanded an immediate end to the operation in the Gaza Strip, codenamed Days of Penitence and launched on September 28, in which more than 100 Palestinians have died.
While recognising the right of Israel to protect its citizens against terrorist attacks they called on it to remain within the limits of international law.