LISBON, Nov. 13 (Xinhua) -- The Portuguese government expressed on Tuesday "great concern" at the latest escalation of violence in Gaza and called for restraint of all actors to resume efforts to resolve the crisis peacefully.
The statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that the Portuguese government considers that "the indiscriminate launching of mortars and any acts of violence against civilians are absolutely condemnable and unjustifiable."
The Portuguese government called for the restraint of all actors in order to put an immediate end to violence and to resume efforts to resolve the crisis in that region peacefully.
Since Sunday night, unprecedented barrages of some 400 Gaza rockets have hit southern Israel, killing a Palestinian man in the city of Ashkelon and wounding at least 85 others, most of whom sustained light injuries.
In Gaza, the Israeli Air Force carried out more than 150 airstrikes, bombing Hamas' al-Aqsa TV and Hamas' headquarters in Gaza, as well as dozens of other sites including tunnels and military positions.
On Monday, the Israeli attacks killed at least three men and on Tuesday five more, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza.
The abrupt violence was sparked by a failed Israeli undercover raid in Gaza on Sunday night. The undercover troops were exposed by Hamas militants, prompting a fire exchange that cost the lives of seven Palestinian militants and an Israeli officer.
