WASHINGTON, D.C.
U.S. President Barack Obama voiced Monday serious concerns over the rising number of casualties in Israel’s invasion of Gaza.
“We have serious concerns about the rising number of Palestinian civilian deaths and the loss of Israeli lives,” Obama said during a televised speech.
Still, the American president reiterated support for Israel’s right to self-defense, and said that Hamas’ infrastructure in Gaza has been dealt a serious blow during the offensive.
Both the U.S. and the international community are now focused on getting the parties to agree to a ceasefire, said Obama. U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry is currently on his way to Cairo, the Egyptian capital, to hammer out such a deal.
“There are enormous passions involved in this and some very difficult strategic issues involved,” Obama said. “Nevertheless, I’ve asked John to do everything he can to help facilitate a cessation of hostilities. We don’t want to see any more civilians getting killed.”
The Palestinian death toll has risen to 541 following two weeks of devastating Israeli bombardments of the blockaded Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian health ministry. At least 20 Israeli soldiers have been killed in the fighting.
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