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Hague condemns Gaza rocket fire, says Israelis have right to live securely
Foreign Secretary William Hague was among the world leaders who yesterday strongly condemned the rocket fire from Gaza which has targeted Israeli population centres across the south and centre of the country.
In a statement, Hague said “I condemn the firing of rockets into Israel by Gaza-based militants. The UK calls on Hamas and other militant groups to stop these attacks.” He added that “The people of Israel have the right to live without constant fear for their security; the people of Gaza also have the right to live in peace.” Hague then stressed that “All sides must do their utmost to act with restraint and avoid the loss of innocent life.”
Meanwhile, at a news briefing, White House spokesman Josh Earnest said “We strongly condemn the continuing rocket fire inside of Israel and the deliberate targeting of civilians by terrorist organizations in Gaza.” He emphasised that “No country can accept rocket fire aimed at civilians and we support Israel’s right to defend itself against these vicious attacks.”
United Nations’ Secretary General Ban Ki-moon added his denunciation, saying that he “condemns the recent multiple rocket attacks on Israel from Gaza” and that “these indiscriminate attacks on civilian areas must stop.” Ban also called on “all actors to exercise maximum restraint and avoid further civilian casualties and overall destabilization.”
European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton commented, “The EU strongly condemns the indiscriminate fire into Israel by militant groups in the Gaza Strip.” However, she also cautioned Israel over its response, saying “The EU deplores the growing number of civilian casualties, reportedly among them children, caused by Israeli retaliatory fire. The safety and security of all civilians must be of paramount importance.”
Meanwhile, EU Ambassador to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen visited southern Israel yesterday and expressed “unreserved solidarity” with Israelis living there. He added, “Indiscriminate shooting of rockets against innocent civilians can never be a legitimate response.”