The US today blamed Hamas for the latest violence in Gaza where more than 50 people died in Israeli firing amid demonstrations against the new American embassy in Jerusalem.
"We are aware of the reports of continued violence in Gaza today. The responsibility for these tragic deaths rests squarely with Hamas. Hamas is intentionally and cynically provoking this response," White House Deputy Press Secretary Raj Shah told reporters.
And as the US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said, Israel has the "right to defend itself", Shah said in response to a question at the daily White House news conference.
"We believe that you know Hamas is responsible for these tragic deaths, that their rather cynical exploitation of the situation, it is what's leading to these deaths and we want them to stop," he said.