‘Let us remember how this conflict started,’ US tells UN

The US mission to the UN defends Israel at the General Assembly session on the Gaza conflict, but stresses that the Palestinian death toll and destruction is “devastating,” and says the US was “horrified” by the attacks on UN facilities.

“Let us remember how this conflict started. Hamas launched repeated rocket attacks at Israel. Hamas deliberately, willfully targets civilians. No nation can accept such attacks, and Israel has the same right to self-defense as every other nation,” it says, according to a statement.

The US also calls for the total disarmament of Gaza terror groups, and the strengthening of the PA.

“We need to help the parties reach an accord where the rockets stop, tunnels are permanently dismantled, and Israel is not attacked again in the near or long term. Gaza must also receive the goods necessary to advance its economic development and the international community must work in concert to strengthen the recognized Palestinian Authority.

“With serious negotiations starting, this is a pivotal time, and we should support the parties’ efforts to secure a durable ceasefire, and give them space to achieve results. We believe that any process to resolve the crisis in Gaza in a lasting and meaningful way must result in the disarmament of Hamas and all other terrorist groups.”

The US says the talks present “an opportunity that the parties should seize” for “genuine dialogue” in attempts to “resolve diplomatically some of the entrenched differences that have helped precipitate this conflict.”