BRUSSELS, March 2 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) on Sunday condemned Israel's "disproportionate use of force" against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, one day after more than 60 people were killed in a land and air blitz by Israeli forces.

    "The Presidency condemns the recent disproportionate use of force by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) against the Palestinian population in Gaza," said a statement issued by Slovenia, which currently holds the EU's rotating presidency.

    Israel should exercise maximum restraint and refrain from all activities that endanger civilians, said the statement, adding that such activities are "contrary to international law."

    The EU rejects "collective punishment" of the people in Gaza, especially innocent children, it said.

    The 27-member bloc also called for an immediate end to Palestinian rocket attacks on Israeli territory and insisted that the peace process should not be interrupted.

    "The Presidency urges all sides to advance on the path to a negotiated settlement," the statement said.

    Israeli troops have stepped up strikes against Gaza since Wednesday following the death of an Israeli civilian who was killed by a Qassam rocket in the southern Israeli town of Sderot.

    According to earlier reports on Sunday, two more Palestinians were killed in an Israeli airstrike into the northern Gaza Strip and Israeli soldiers shot dead a boy in the West Bank city of Hebron during clashes with residents protesting against the offensive.