Kerry caught on open microphone criticizing Israel’s Gaza attacks

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kerry warnsU.S. Secretary of State John Kerry was overheard on Sunday expressing what appeared to be pointed concern over the deaths of civilians during an Israeli offensive in Gaza.

In a conversation caught on an open microphone before an interview, Kerry made what seemed to be a sarcastic remark about Israel’s insistence it was doing its utmost to avoid civilian casualties in operations against Hamas militants.

“It’s a hell of a pinpoint operation. It’s a hell of a pinpoint operation,” he said during the call, which was broadcast on “Fox News Sunday.”

While Washington says Israel has a right to defend itself from rocket attacks launched out of Gaza, American diplomats have called on the Israelis to restrict themselves to a precise operation in the ground campaign launched on Thursday.

On Sunday, more than 97 Palestinians, including women and children, were killed as Israel shelled a Gaza neighborhood and battled militants. Thirteen Israeli soldiers also were killed. Kerry was expected to travel to the Middle East soon to press for a ceasefire.

“We got to get over there,” Kerry said in his overheard comments, apparently to an aide. “I think, John, we ought to go tonight. I think it’s crazy to be sitting around.”

When Kerry was asked to explain the comments, he did not criticize Israel and emphasized its right to defend itself.

“I reacted obviously in a way that, you know, anybody does with respect to young children and civilians. But war is tough,” he said.

Israel, which has accused Palestinian militant group Hamas of using civilians as human shields by launching rockets from residential areas, sent ground forces into the Gaza Strip after 10 days of air, naval and artillery barrages.

Reuters

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4 responses to “Kerry caught on open microphone criticizing Israel’s Gaza attacks”

  1. http://lebanize.blogspot.ca/2006/07/2006-massacre-in-qana-lebanon.html Is a good thing that Israel NEVER KILLS CHILDREN!

  2. MekensehParty Avatar
    MekensehParty

    For a pinpoint operation the IDF is definitely missing their targets
    Are there Russian/Ukrainians among its ranks?

    1. 5thDrawer Avatar
      5thDrawer

      Oh it’s a pinpoint operation … and the pins mostly drop where they were aimed … the only problem being that when the pins then blow up, a lot of other things fly around.

  3. Leborigine Avatar
    Leborigine

    Since israel boasts that it has some of the best undercover agents in the world and mossad being the elite of the elite, why don’t they enter gaza and eliminate their enemy one by one and spare the lives of all the innocent people who just want to live normal lives?? I really cannot see what benefit israel is going to have with such an incursion besides destruction and loss of innocent lives.

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