BRUSSELS, Dec. 30 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission, the executive arm of the European Union (EU), on Tuesday urged Israel and the Palestinian Islamic movement Hamas to immediately halt all military attacks affecting the civilian population.

    The commission also asked Israel to open up border crossings for humanitarian assistance.

    "The European Commission is deeply concerned by the situation in Gaza. The lack of access for humanitarian goods and relief workers creates a dramatic situation for thousands of civilians," the Commission said in a statement, adding that it was "extremely concerned" about the plight of civilians in the Gaza Strip.

    The call came ahead of a meeting of EU foreign ministers Tuesday evening in Paris, which will focus on the situation in Gaza. French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had said the meeting would make a decision on "the EU's contribution to solve the current crisis."

    Kouchner is also seeking a negotiated humanitarian truce and medical aid to the Gaza Strip. France has said it is ready to send more aid to Gaza.

    The commission requested an immediate halt to military hostilities that are having a heavy impact on the civilian population in Gaza and also firmly called for a halt to the rocket attacks targeting Israeli civilians.

    The commission insisted on the need for sufficient access for supplies of essential humanitarian goods to Gaza in view of the dramatic situation of hospitals there.

    The commission warned that urgent measures have to be taken in order to ensure safe and secure conditions for the distribution of the humanitarian goods and to facilitate access of international agencies.

    The commission said it was providing support to meet the most urgent medical needs in Gaza in addition to the EU's ongoing support and is in close cooperation with the international community.

    UN humanitarian chief John Holmes said Monday that some 320 people have been killed and 1,400 others injured on the Palestinian side amid the Israeli raids, with 62 of those killed being women and children.

    On the Israeli side, two have been killed by rocket attacks, according to Holmes.