BERLIN: Germany is 鈥渄eeply concerned鈥� about the situation in Gaza, where it said an intensified Israeli offensive could endanger the lives of hostages, including Germans, the Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

The offensive 鈥渃ould put the lives of the remaining hostages, including those of German hostages, in danger,鈥� said a ministry statement.

鈥淎 broad military offensive also risks worsening further the catastrophic humanitarian situation for Gaza鈥檚 population and the remaining hostages,鈥� it added.

Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani earlier urged Israel to stop its military offensive in Gaza, saying that Palestinian civilians must no longer pay the price of war.

鈥淲e have to tell the Israeli government 鈥榯hat鈥檚 enough鈥�,鈥� Tajani said in a statement.

鈥淲e no longer want to see the Palestinian population suffer. Stop the attacks, let鈥檚 secure a ceasefire, free the hostages, but leave in peace a people who are victims of Hamas,鈥� he added.

The comments reflect growing international disquiet over Israel鈥檚 relentless attacks on Gaza.

Israel鈥檚 military campaign has devastated the tiny, crowded enclave, pushing nearly all its 2 million inhabitants from their homes and killing more than 53,000 people, according to Gaza health authorities.

Tajani was due to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Rome.

The Italian government has been one of Israel鈥檚 most vocal supporters within Europe, but unease is building over the devastation being wrought on Gaza.

Also on Saturday, a senior Hamas official said a new round of indirect negotiations with Israel aimed at ending the war in Gaza started in Doha 鈥渨ithout any preconditions.鈥� 

鈥淭his round of negotiations began without any preconditions from either side, and the negotiations are open to discussing all issues,鈥� said senior Hamas official Taher Al-Nunu.

鈥淗amas will present its viewpoint on all issues, especially ending the war, (Israel鈥檚) withdrawal and prisoner exchange.鈥�

Prior rounds of negotiations have failed to secure a breakthrough on ending the war, and a two-month ceasefire between the sides fell apart when Israel resumed its operations in Gaza on March 18.