LOC19:44
16:44 GMT
WASHINGTON, Aug 1 (KUNA) -- US Secretary of State John Kerry condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the Friday attack which led to the killing of two Israeli soldiers and an "apparent" abduction of another.
"It was an outrageous violation of the cease-fire negotiated over the past several days, and of the assurances given to the United States and the United Nations," said Kerry in a statement
"Hamas, which has security control over the Gaza Strip, must immediately and unconditionally release the missing Israeli soldier, and I call on those with influence over Hamas to reinforce this message," he stated.
In an interview with CNN "New Day" White House Spokesperson Josh Earnest said: "This is a blatant, barbaric violation of a ceasefire agreement."
Earnest asserted that the US encourages the international community to respond and condemn the attack in the strongest possible terms.
Kerry affirmed: "After the horrific loss of life in this attack and its aftermath, it would be a tragedy if this outrageous attack leads to more suffering and loss of life on both sides of this conflict."
Kerry noted that he has been in contact with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, UN Special Representative Robert Serry and other regional partners.
"The international community must now redouble its efforts to end the tunnel and rocket attacks by Hamas terrorists on Israel and the suffering and loss of civilian life," stressed Kerry. (end)
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