PARIS, Dec. 27 (Xinhua) -- French President Nicolas Sarkozy on Saturday called for an immediate halt to the violence in Israel and the Gaza Strip, a statement from the presidential Elysee Palace said.

    "The president expresses his deep concern at the escalation of violence in southern Israel and the Gaza Strip," the statement said.

    Sarkozy condemned "the irresponsible provocations" and "disproportionate use of force," and demanded "an immediate end to rocket attacks on Israel as well as to Israeli bombardments of Gaza."

    He also pointed out that "there is no military solution in Gaza," and called for "the establishment of a lasting truce."

    The statement came hours after Israeli defense forces carried out a series of airstrikes against the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, killing at least 155 Palestinians and injuring more than 200 others.