PARIS, March 19 (Xinhua) -- French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday condemned the resumption of Israeli strikes on Gaza, calling it a dramatic step backward for peace efforts, urging an immediate cessation of hostilities.

"It is tragic for the Palestinians in Gaza, once again plunged into the terror of bombing. It is tragic for the hostages and their families ... It is tragic for the entire region, which is trying to recover after more than a year of war and upheaval," Macron said at a press conference with visiting Jordanian King Abdullah II.

Macron emphasized that hostilities must cease "immediately" and negotiations must resume "in good faith." He stressed that "no Israeli military solution, colonization, annexation, or forced displacement" would be accepted in Gaza, urging concerned parties to "find the path again" toward a political resolution.

Echoing Macron's concerns, King Abdullah II warned that Israel's resumption of attacks on Gaza is "an extremely dangerous step that adds further devastation to an already dire humanitarian situation."

He called on the international community to act "immediately and collectively" to restore the ceasefire.

Israeli forces conducted air strikes across Gaza early on Tuesday, killing over 400 people, and vowed to escalate the offensive unless Hamas releases hostages held in the enclave. The strikes broke a cease-fire that had lasted nearly two months. Enditem

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