Agencies-Gaza post
Blinken calls Israel, Palestinians to stop cycle of violence
Amid ongoing tensions between the two sides, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken called on Israel and Palestinians to “end the cycle of violence”, amid rising tensions between the two sides.
Mr Blinken called Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid separately on Tuesday to stop raising escalation.
The secretary of state said Israelis and Palestinians have to end violence in Israel, the occupied West Bank and Gaza “by exercising restraint and refraining from actions that escalate tensions”, the US State Department reported.
Mr Blinken told Mr Lapid of the US government’s “steadfast commitment” to Israel’s security and condemned latest rocket attacks from Gaza.
He told Mr Abbas that the US was worked to improving Palestinians’ quality of life.
Mr Blinken called for a two-state solution in his calls.
Thousands of Israelis on Tuesday marched to a dismantled settlement deep in the occupied West Bank to call for it to be rebuilt.
Israeli forces closed roads to allow the march led by hardline Israeli settlers and to prevent Palestinians from reaching the area.
Palestinian residents gathered against the closures and Israeli soldiers fired rubber bullets and teargas at youths hurling stones and burning tyres according to Palestinan sources.
