U.S. sharpens Hamas criticism, urges cease-fire
WASHINGTON -- The United States Sunday sharpened its criticism of Hamas and urged the militant Palestinian group to accept a cease-fire agreement that would halt nearly two weeks of fighting with Israel.
The Obama administration toned down its earlier rebuke of Israel for attacks on the Gaza Strip that have killed civilians, including children, although Secretary of State John Kerry said he remains concerned about the rising death toll that so far includes at least 425 Palestinians and 20 Israelis.
"It's ugly. War is ugly," Kerry said. "And bad things are going to happen. But they [Hamas] need to recognize their own responsibility."
Kerry said Israel has a right to defend itself against frequent rocket attacks by Hamas from the Gaza Strip. He accused Hamas of attempting to sedate and kidnap Israelis through a network of tunnels that militants have used to stage cross-border raids.
He also urged Hamas to "step up and show a level of reasonableness, and they need to accept the offer of a cease-fire." Then, Kerry said, "we will certainly discuss all of the issues relevant to the underlying crisis."
The nearly two-week-old conflict appeared to be escalating as United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon headed to the region to try to revive cease-fire efforts. Kerry said he was planning to meet soon with Ban and was ready to travel to the Mideast immediately if needed.
Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) Sunday called on world leaders to continue their support of Israel in its conflict against Hamas forces in Gaza.
Schumer told reporters at a news conference in Manhattan that Israel has every right to defend itself.
"In any other country, if missiles were fired ... they would have the right to defend themselves," he said. But Schumer said he also supported a two-state solution to the conflict.
"Most Americans believe in a two-state solution," he said. "Guess who doesn't? Hamas."
The UN relief agency in Gaza estimates that 70,000 Palestinians have fled their homes in the fighting and are seeking shelter in schools and other shelters the United Nations has set up. The agency's top director in Gaza, Robert Turner, told CNN's "State of the Union" that the UN has run out of mattresses for refugees, and few hygiene and medical supplies are left, although fresh food and water remain available.
U.S. officials made clear, however, that Hamas could bring relief to the Palestinian people if it agrees to a cease-fire proposed by Egypt -- a view that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing as well.
Hamas has rejected the Egyptian plan and instead is relying on governments in Qatar and Turkey for an alternative proposal. Qatar and Turkey have ties to the Muslim Brotherhood, which is also linked to Hamas but banned in Egypt.
With Ivan Pereira
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