Amid the worst violence in Gaza and Israel in seven years, the German foreign minister and the EU's leading foreign affairs official have called for "urgent" meetings and a return to dialogue focused on a two-state solution. 

Germany's Heiko Maas said the "highly explosive mixture" of rocket attacks and retaliation could lead to "unforeseeable consequences" as he called for a return to talks. 

Meanwhile, the European Union's vice-president for foreign affairs, Josep Borrell, said he had called a meeting of EU foreign ministers to "discuss how the EU can best contribute to end the current violence."

He added the meeting was called due to continuing and "unacceptable" civilian deaths.

They spoke ahead of a UN Security Council meeting on Sunday to discuss a possible reaction to the violence.

Pope Francis added his voice to those calling for peace during his Sunday prayers at the Vatican. 

"I ask myself - where will hatred and revenge lead? Do we really think we will build peace by destroying the other?"

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According to the health authorities in Gaza, 33 people were killed in airstrikes on Sunday, making it the bloodiest day of the week-long violence and killings. 

That takes the number of Palestinian casualties to 181, including 52 children. Ten people have been killed by rockets fired into Israel by Hamas. 

Yesterday Israel was widely condemned for destroying a tower housing international media including the Associated Press and Al Jazeera.

According to an Israeli military commander, Ori Gordin, Israel has come under the most intense and sustained period of rocket attacks from Palestinian militants since 2006.

He said more than 3,000 rockets had been fired into Israel since Monday, although the majority have been successfully intercepted by the nation's "Iron Dome" security system. 

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Joe Federman, bureau chief for the Associated Press, spoke to CGTN about their building being destroyed:

 Cover photo: Said Khatib / AFP