France reiterates commitment to preserve Israel's security after rocket attack

PARIS, March 25 (Xinhua) -- France on Monday strongly denounced the early Monday rocket attack from the Gaza Strip which targeted a residential zone near Tel Aviv, recalling its commitment to guarantee security in Israel, the French Foreign Affairs Ministry said.

"France condemns with the greatest firmness the rocket fire that deliberately targeted inhabited areas of Israeli territory from Gaza," the ministry said in a press release.

"We express our solidarity with the victims and recall our unwavering commitment to the security of Israel," it said.

Early on Monday, a long-range rocket launched from Gaza hit a residential home in central Israel, injuring seven, in the first such incident since 2014.

The attack came amid heightened tension in the region ahead of the on-year anniversary on March 30 of the weekly protests along the fence in Gaza, known as the "Great March of Return," and during which Palestinians tried to breach the frontier. At least 190 Palestinians and an Israeli soldier were killed in the rallies a year ago.

Brokered by the U.S., direct peace negotiations were stopped in April 2014 as the rival camps failed to come up with tangible results due to differences on major issues like settlement, security, borders and the recognition of a Palestinian state.