Palestinians have rights to security as do Israelis: US

WASHINGTON

A US State Department spokesman on Tuesday failed to condemn Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, occupied Palestine, and said Palestinians and Israelis have rights to safety.

Ned Price said the US is "deeply concerned about the escalation between Israel and those launching rockets from Gaza, and we call for restraints and calm."

"Israel has the right to defend itself and to respond to rocket attacks, the Palestinian people also have the right to safety and security, just as Israelis do," he said at a news conference.

Price voiced deep concern about the reported loss of life in Gaza and Israel, including the deaths of children, as well as innocent civilians injured.

"Similarly in Jerusalem, where there reportedly have been hundreds of Palestinians injured, as well as Israeli police, we call on all sides to exercise restraint and to exercise calm.

"The United States will continue to remain engaged with senior Israeli officials and Palestinian leadership in the days and weeks ahead," he added.

During the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Israeli authorities have harassed and attacked worshippers in the midst of prayers inside Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest in Islam, and threatened to evict dozens of Palestinian families from their homes in the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood of occupied East Jerusalem.

Tension spread from East Jerusalem to the Gaza Strip after Palestinian groups in Gaza vowed to retaliate for raids on Al-Aqsa and potential resident removals in Sheikh Jarrah.