NEW YORK, July 29 (RIA Novosti) – Violence between Israel and Palestinian militants is “spiraling downwards” and could make peace efforts unworkable, US Secretary of State John Kerry told reporters in Washington on Tuesday.
“The bottom line is that we are working … to find a way to reduce the civilian loss of life to prevent this from spiraling downwards into a place from which both sides have difficulty finding a way forward in order to address the underlying issues,” Kerry said.
“All we have suggested ... is the need to try to find if you can resolve any of these issues through a legitimate negotiation and ultimately with less loss of life everywhere.”
Kerry has been trying to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militants in Hamas-controlled Gaza. More than 1,150 Palestinians and more than 50 Israelis have died since Israel attacked the coastal strip three weeks ago following Palestinian rocket attacks.
