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Hague: Hamas to blame for escalating tension in Gaza and Israel Hague: Hamas to blame for escalating tension in Gaza and Israel
(about 1 hour later)
Palestinian Islamist group Hamas "bears principal responsibility" for escalating tension in Gaza and southern Israel, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.Palestinian Islamist group Hamas "bears principal responsibility" for escalating tension in Gaza and southern Israel, UK Foreign Secretary William Hague has said.
In a statement, Mr Hague said he deeply regretted "the loss of civilian life on both sides".In a statement, Mr Hague said he deeply regretted "the loss of civilian life on both sides".
Israel should do its "utmost to reduce tension", the foreign secretary said.Israel should do its "utmost to reduce tension", the foreign secretary said.
But he added: "I utterly condemn rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel by Hamas and other armed groups."But he added: "I utterly condemn rocket attacks from Gaza into southern Israel by Hamas and other armed groups."
Three people were killed when rockets fired from Gaza struck southern Israel. Israel killed Hamas' military chief in Gaza on Wednesday.Three people were killed when rockets fired from Gaza struck southern Israel. Israel killed Hamas' military chief in Gaza on Wednesday.
Rocket attacks from Gaza create "an intolerable situation for Israeli civilians in southern Israel, who have the right to live without fear of attack" and "also risk worsening the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, which is already precarious", he said.Rocket attacks from Gaza create "an intolerable situation for Israeli civilians in southern Israel, who have the right to live without fear of attack" and "also risk worsening the plight of Palestinian civilians in Gaza, which is already precarious", he said.
'Spiral of violence''Spiral of violence'
"Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza should cease attacks against Israel immediately. I call on those in the region with influence over Hamas to use that influence to bring about an end to the attacks."Hamas and other armed groups in Gaza should cease attacks against Israel immediately. I call on those in the region with influence over Hamas to use that influence to bring about an end to the attacks.
"I also strongly urge Israel to do their utmost to reduce tension, avoid civilian casualties and increase the prospects for both sides to live in peace."I also strongly urge Israel to do their utmost to reduce tension, avoid civilian casualties and increase the prospects for both sides to live in peace.
"It is imperative to avoid the risk of a spiral of violence. The escalation of the conflict would be in no one's interest, particularly at a time of instability in the region."It is imperative to avoid the risk of a spiral of violence. The escalation of the conflict would be in no one's interest, particularly at a time of instability in the region.
"These events underline once again the fragility of the situation and the urgent need for progress toward a two state solution which allows Israelis and Palestinians to live alongside each other in peace and security."These events underline once again the fragility of the situation and the urgent need for progress toward a two state solution which allows Israelis and Palestinians to live alongside each other in peace and security.
"Britain will do all it can to support such progress and an urgent resumptions of negotiations," the foreign secretary concluded. "Britain will do all it can to support such progress and an urgent resumptions of negotiations," the foreign secretary concluded."
At a press conference in the Foreign Office, Mr Hague conceded that the UK and other EU nations "don't have any direct control" over the situation but he said he would be attempting to get his message across "very clearly" in meetings with Israel and Egypt's foreign ministers.
"We can only appeal to the self-interest of all those involved to avoid the spiralling of violence," added Mr Hague.
'Stable footing''Stable footing'
Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander, for Labour, called for "an immediate end to the violence to avoid a spiral downwards to even greater suffering".Shadow foreign secretary Douglas Alexander, for Labour, called for "an immediate end to the violence to avoid a spiral downwards to even greater suffering".
He added: "Escalating tension serves no one's interest. Citizens in both Israel and Gaza deserve to live in peace and security.He added: "Escalating tension serves no one's interest. Citizens in both Israel and Gaza deserve to live in peace and security.
"The recent rocket attacks into southern Israel that have led to this latest response deserve our categorical condemnation but Israel must at all times act in accordance with international law."The recent rocket attacks into southern Israel that have led to this latest response deserve our categorical condemnation but Israel must at all times act in accordance with international law.
"This latest escalation of violence only emphasises why it is vital that negotiations to achieve a political solution to the Israeli - Palestinian conflict must resume with urgency.""This latest escalation of violence only emphasises why it is vital that negotiations to achieve a political solution to the Israeli - Palestinian conflict must resume with urgency."
Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who represents the UN, US, EU and Russia in the Middle East, told the BBC: "We are doing all we can to de-escalate the situation.Former Prime Minister Tony Blair, who represents the UN, US, EU and Russia in the Middle East, told the BBC: "We are doing all we can to de-escalate the situation.
"We have got to stop the rocket attacks coming out of Gaza which means the Israeli retaliation ceases then put the situation back on a more stable footing. But if the violence continues then Israel will retaliate and this escalation could get a lot worse."We have got to stop the rocket attacks coming out of Gaza which means the Israeli retaliation ceases then put the situation back on a more stable footing. But if the violence continues then Israel will retaliate and this escalation could get a lot worse.
"It's essential we do it now or it will have an impact right across the region.""It's essential we do it now or it will have an impact right across the region."