PARIS, Jan 14 (Reuters) - France and Germany repeated calls on Wednesday for an immediate halt to fighting in Gaza to allow help to reach civilians and said a lasting ceasefire should be put in place as soon as possible. "In the face of continuing violence and the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza, we call for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire," French Foreign Minister Bernard Koucnher and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement. The statement came as ceasefire negotiations intensified, with an Israeli envoy due to meet Egyptian mediators in Cairo on Thursday after a Hamas delegation concluded talks on an Egyptian truce proposal. The Franco-German statement commended Egyptian efforts to end the fighting. It said Paris and Berlin were prepared to support arrangements and measures that could sustain a durable ceasefire, especially in preventing illicit arms trafficking and ensuring regular opening of crossing points. "Important progress has been made over the past days in identifying workable solutions," it said. A French aircraft carrying some 40 tonnes of humanitarian supplies including thousands of blankets, jerrycans and medical supplies left for Tel Aviv on Wednesday. (Writing by James Mackenzie; Editing by Richard Balmforth)
Belgian medics help injured Palestinian children out of a plane at Melsbroek airport, near Brussels, January 14, 2009, before bringing them to hospitals. Six children aged between 2 and 18 years ...
France
