Kerry says it’s all about Israel’s right to self-defense

US Secretary of State John Kerry responds to harsh criticism of his handling of Gaza ceasefire negotiations, saying it wasn’t about him. “This is about Israel and Israel’s right to defend itself” and ensure its civilians and soldiers aren’t under fire from the Gaza Strip, he says at a press conference with the Ukrainian foreign minister in Washington.

“Last night we talked, and the prime minister talked to me about an idea and a possibility of a ceasefire. He raised it with me, as he has consistently,” Kerry says. “Israel itself had accepted an Egyptian ceasefire with no pre-conditions.”

He adds Netanyahu had said he “would embrace a ceasefire that permits Israel to protect itself against the tunnels and obviously not be disadvantaged for the great sacrifice they have made thus far.”

— AFP contributed to this report.