France condemns rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel

France on Friday strongly condemned the series of rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel and urged all concerned to respect a cease-fire agreed between the Hamas movement and Israel last November. Radical Palestinian groups have claimed responsibility for firing Grad rockets at the Israeli town of Eilat, although no injuries or casualties have been reported. "France firmly condemns the firing (of rockets) that took place these past days against the population of southern Israel," a Foreign Ministry statement said. France also urges "respect for the cease-fire concluded last November," the statement said. It is unclear if the groups firing the rockets are under the control of Hamas or are renegade groups that are not part of the cease-fire agreement. Israel generally retaliates to rocket attacks by attacking targets in Gaza, attacks that often lead to civilian casualties and damage to infrastructure.