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19:52 GMT
WASHINGTON, July 15 (KUNA) -- The US expressed its support for Israel and Palestine to return to a ceasefire Tuesday after Israel resumed air strikes in Gaza ending an agreement Tel Aviv made with an Egyptian proposed ceasefire that Hamas reportedly failed to abide by.
White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest told reporters, "The firing of rockets from Gaza at innocent civilians in Israel is completely unacceptable. And Israel's leaders are certainly entitled to take the kinds of actions that are necessary to keep their citizens safe."
According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, at least 185 people have been killed in Palestine while no deaths have been reported out of Israel.
State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday that Secretary of State John Kerry has been in touch with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri.
Earnest reiterated, "All eyes now turn to Hamas and the groups in Palestinian-held territories who are firing rockets."
In regards to the Egyptian proposal Harf affirmed, "We still feel it is a live proposal and something that the parties can take a look at and hopefully embrace.
"We need to all remember what's at stake here, and we'll continue to work for a cease-fire," she insisted. (end)
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