German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke by telephone on Thursday to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas about the current conflict in the Middle East, with both agreeing to support efforts to reach a ceasefire, Merkel's spokesman said.
"Merkel and President Abbas agreed that the initiatives for a speedy ceasefire should be further supported," he said in a statement.
Merkel also underlined Israel's right to self-defense in the face of rocket attacks from the Gaza Strip, the statement said.