[Asia Economy Reporter Cho Hyun-ui] Amid ongoing large-scale violent clashes between Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas, U.S. President Joe Biden held calls with leaders from both sides on the 15th (local time).
The White House stated that President Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the same day, reaffirming strong support for Israel's right to self-defense against rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups.
According to the White House, President Biden condemned indiscriminate attacks on towns and cities across Israel and discussed U.S. and regional partners' involvement and ongoing diplomatic efforts on the issue. He also raised concerns about journalists' safety and emphasized the need to ensure their protection.
The White House reported that President Biden expressed serious concern over intercommunal violence throughout Israel and conveyed the shared hope of both sides that Jerusalem becomes a place of peaceful coexistence for all faiths.
He also expressed concern over violent confrontations in the West Bank and voiced support for measures to help Palestinian residents enjoy dignity, security, freedom, and economic opportunities.
President Biden also spoke with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas on the same day. The White House said that during the call, President Biden conveyed the United States' commitment to strengthening the partnership with Palestine.
Regarding U.S. diplomatic engagement in the ongoing conflict, President Biden provided updates and emphasized that Hamas must cease rocket fire against Israel.
The White House added that he stressed strong commitment to the "two-state solution," negotiated as the best way to resolve the Israel-Palestine conflict in a just and lasting manner.
Major foreign media reported that this call between President Biden and the Palestinian Authority leader was the first since Biden took office in January. The U.S. administration had urged restraint from both sides in briefings at the White House and State Department on the 11th amid escalating clashes between Israel and Hamas.
The current conflict was triggered by clashes on the 7th at the Al-Aqsa Mosque, one of Islam's three holiest sites in East Jerusalem, between Palestinian protesters and Israeli police. Hamas demanded the withdrawal of Israeli police and began firing rockets toward Israel from the afternoon of the 10th, while Israel deployed fighter jets to conduct airstrikes on the Gaza Strip.
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