The United Nations has warned the conflict could turn into full-scale war .
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has called the situation harrowing .
US President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday and conveyed his unwavering support for Israel s right to defend itself.
He condemned the rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem and Tel Aviv and encouraged restoring a sustainable calm , the White House said. Explosions, fire and flames by Israeli air strikes over southern Gaza Strip in response to the barrage of rockets fired by the Palestinians into Israel. Photo credit: Getty Images
Top US diplomat tweets that he expressed condolences for the loss of life Published: May 13, 2021 06:03 AFP U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. Image Credit: Reuters
Washington: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said Wednesday he spoke with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, urging an end to rocket attacks amid escalating tensions with Israel.
“I spoke with President Abbas about the ongoing situation in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza,” the US top diplomat posted on Twitter. “I expressed condolences for the loss of life. I emphasized the need to end rocket attacks and deescalate tensions.”
Xinhua world news summary at 0530 GMT, May 13
Xinhua
13 May 2021, 16:05 GMT+10
NEW YORK The United States and China need to resume collaboration and find ways to dial down the temperature as the two countries are interdependent and connected, said Gary Locke, former U.S. ambassador to China. Locke, also chairman of Committee of 100, a non-profit organization of prominent Chinese Americans, made the remarks at a virtual media roundtable on the sidelines of a virtual conference on U.S.-China relations held by the committee that ended on Wednesday. (U.S.-China-Relations) - - - - WASHINGTON U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions and end violence in a phone conversation with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday.
After Netanyahu, Blinken calls on Palestinian President Abbas to de-escalate tensions ANI | Updated: May 13, 2021 07:15 IST
Washington [US], May 13 (ANI): After speaking to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, USSecretary of StateAntony Blinken on Wednesday (local time) spoke to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and emphasised the need to de-escalate tensions.
In a statement, US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that Blinken and Abbas discussed the violence in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and the Secretary expressed his condolences for the lives lost as a result.
The US State Secretary also condemned the rocket attacks and emphasised the need to de-escalate tensions and bring the current violence to an end.