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21:52 GMT
WASHINGTON, June 10 (KUNA) -- The US denounced sanctions by Britain and four mutual allies on Tuesday against Israeli far-right ministers, saying they should focus instead on the Palestinian armed group Hamas.
"We find that extremely unhelpful. It will do nothing to get us closer to a ceasefire in Gaza," US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce told reporters.
Britain, Canada, Norway, New Zealand and Australia "should focus on the real culprit, which is Hamas," she said of the sanctions.
"We remain concerned about any step that would further isolate Israel from the international community," Bruce said.
The five Western countries imposed sanctions on Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir for "repeated incitements of violence" against Palestinians.
"If our allies want to help, they should focus on supporting Special Envoy (Steve) Witkoff's negotiations and backing the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation when it comes to food and aid," Bruce added. (end)
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