President Obama on Sunday voiced “serious concern” about the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza and decried mounting civilian casualties in Israel’s struggle with Hamas.
Obama and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu touched base over the phone, in the second such chat in three days, aides to the president said.
At least 13 Israeli soldiers and 87 Palestinians were killed on Sunday, in the deadliest day yet of the Jewish state’s recent offensive, officials on both sides of the conflict said.
Hamas also announced it had captured an Israeli soldier during the fighting.
An Israeli official, however, later denied the claim by Hamas, according to CNN.
“There’s no kidnapped Israeli soldier, and those rumors are untrue,” the official told the network.
Two of the Isreali soldiers who died were Americans who had been living in Israel. Texas native Nissim Sean Carmeli, 21, and California’s Max Steinberg, 24, both died during the first major ground battle.
“The president discussed Israel’s ongoing military operation, reiterated the United States’ condemnation of attacks by Hamas against Israel, and reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself,” the White House said in a statement.
“The president also raised serious concern about the growing number of casualties, including increasing Palestinian civilian deaths in Gaza and the loss of Israeli soldiers.”
Secretary of State John Kerry said he is headed to Cairo on Monday to meet with Egyptian officials to brainstorm a possible peace deal in Gaza.
“The United States — and our international partners — are deeply concerned about the risk of further escalation and the loss of more innocent life,” the State Department said.
“We believe there should be a cease-fire as soon as possible.”
Kerry, perhaps inadvertently, hinted at the administration’s growing unease with Israel’s offensive in residential Gaza City.
Sitting in a chair and speaking into a cellphone moments before appearing on “Fox News Sunday,” Kerry was recorded saying off-air, “It’s a hell of a pinpoint operation.”
“It’s a hell of a pinpoint operation,” Kerry repeated, in an apparent reference to Israel’s claim to be strategically targeting Hamas strongholds.
“It’s escalating significantly,” a voice, presumably of an aide, said on the other end.
“We’ve got to get over there,” Kerry responded. “I think we ought to go tonight.”
“Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace asked Kerry, “When you said it’s a hell of a pinpoint operation, [are you] upset that the Israelis are going too far?”
America’s top diplomat didn’t deny Wallace’s interpretation of the overheard comments.
“It’s very difficult in these situations,” Kerry said. “I reacted, obviously, in a way that anybody does in respect to young children and civilians.”
Combat, which included heavy Israeli tank fire, was concentrated on the crowded Shijaiyah neighborhood of Gaza City on Sunday.
“The gate of hell has opened, and shrapnel came through the windows,” one Shijaiyah resident said.
Netanyahu said he was sorry for civilian casualties in Gaza, but he lashed out at Hamas.
With Post Wire Services