Biden expresses grave concern , tells rocket fire must cease Published: 9:49 PM, May 16, 2021
Palestinians inspect their house, after it was destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip. - AFP SHARE
WASHINGTON: US President Joe Biden expressed his grave concern over violence in Israel and Gaza in a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Saturday while separately telling Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas that Hamas must cease firing rockets.
Speaking on the sixth day of a paroxysm of Israeli-Palestinian violence that has left scores dead or wounded, Biden expressed his strong support for Israel s right to defend itself against rocket attacks by Hamas and other activist groups, in his call with Netanyahu, while also emphasising his clear concern over the deadly flare-up and casualties on both sides.