 |
| |
WEEKLY
SECTIONS |
 |
|
 |
| US stands by Israel as world recoils at Gaza Strip bloodshed |
|
|
|
Monday, December 29, 2008
PARIS: The United States said that massive Israeli air strikes on Saturday on the Gaza Strip were the fault of Islamist Hamas “thugs,” as rival world powers urged both sides to halt escalating violence.
Outgoing US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said in a statement that the US “holds Hamas responsible,” whereas the European Union, Russia and UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon distanced themselves from blaming either side.
As global reaction began to polarise, Israel’s strongest ally accused Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, of bringing destruction upon itself by breaking a six-month ceasefire which expired on December 19.
“These people are nothing but thugs, and so Israel is going to defend its people against terrorists like Hamas,” White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said at George W Bush’s Texas ranch.
“If Hamas stops firing rockets into Israel, then Israel would not have a need for strikes in Gaza,” Johndroe said. “What we’ve got to see is Hamas stop firing rockets into Israel.
“The United States holds Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire; we want the ceasefire restored. We’re concerned about the humanitarian situation and want all parties concerned to work to make sure the people of Gaza get the humanitarian assistance they need,” said Johndroe. The State Department amended Rice’s initial statement about holding Hamas responsible to say “we” rather than the United States, adding that “the United States calls on all concerned to protect innocent lives and to address the urgent humanitarian needs of the people of Gaza.”
Middle East envoy Tony Blair deplored the “tragic of loss of life,” and urged a “new strategy for Gaza, which brings that territory back under the legitimate rule of the Palestinian Authority in a manner which ends their suffering and fully protects the security of Israel.”
In Paris, French President Nicolas Sarkozy said he “strongly condemns the irresponsible provocations which led to this situation as well as the disproportionate use of force.”
EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana meanwhile said the Israeli strikes were “inflicting an unacceptable toll on Palestinian civilians and will only worsen the humanitarian crisis as well as complicate the search for a peaceful solution.” The EU also called for all crossing points out of Gaza to be reopened and deliveries of aid and fuel to resume, along with free access for international humanitarian groups, journalists and diplomats, which Israel has blocked.
While Ban expressed his alarm at the “bloodshed,” Hamas said Saturday it had retaliated with more rockets which Israeli medics said killed at least one person in the southern town of Netivot.
|
|
|
| Back
| Send
this story to Friend | Print
Version |
|
|
|
ISSN 1563-9479 
