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22:58 GMT
WASHINGTON, Sept 29 (KUNA) -- The US said on Thursday it supports conducting a "thorough and immediate investigation" into the circumstances surrounding the death of a Palestinian child in Bethlehem in the West Bank.
"The US is heartbroken to learn of the death of an innocent Palestinian child. As President (Joe) Biden and Secretary (Antony) Blinken have repeated numerous times, Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely and enjoy equal measures of freedom and prosperity," State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters.
"We call on all parties to do everything in their power to de-escalate the situation and return to a period of calm. This is in the interest of all Israelis and Palestinians.
"And as we have said for some time, the United States and other international partners stand ready to help, but that cannot be a substitute for the vital actions by the parties to mitigate conflict and restore calm themselves.
According to eyewitess accounts, Ryyan Sulaiman, 7, fell to his death from a high building after being chased by Israeli forces. (end)
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