France and Germany repeat Gaza ceasefire call

PARIS (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 cease-fire 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 cease-fire," French Foreign Minister Bernard Koucnher and his German counterpart Frank-Walter Steinmeier said in a statement. The statement came as cease-fire 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 cease-fire, 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)