The Egyptian foreign ministry condemned Friday the recent shelling in several Syrian areas which have claimed the lives of hundreds of civilians, mainly in the northern city of Aleppo.

The ministry released a statement expressing the Egyptian government's "deep concern over the deteriorating condition" in Syria, as well as reports of civilian casualties "as a result of the escalation" in violence.

Ministry spokesman Ahmed Abu Zeid called for the political process between combatants in the war-torn country to reach "direct negotiations."

He also urged facilitating the passage of aid to Syrians trapped in conflict zones.

More than 230 civilians have been killed in Aleppo over the past week as the government of Bashar Al-Assad has pounded rebel-held areas, with rebels replying in kind.

Aleppo was left out of a deal to freeze fighting despite international outrage over renewed violence in the northern Syrian city.

Fighting has also surged around Damascus, Homs and other areas over the past week.