Rice phones Israel's Tivni for fifth time amid tensions
AFP
Date: 06-30-06
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice telephoned Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni for the fifth time in three days amid escalating tensions with the Palestinians, a spokesman said.
Rice again urged the Palestinians to release an Israeli soldier whose capture sparked an Israeli military incursion into the Gaza Strip, US State Department deputy spokesman Adam Ereli said.
But Rice also views Israel's detention Thursday of one-third of the Palestinian cabinet -- all of them Hamas members -- with concern, Ereli said.
"The detention of the lawmakers raises particular concern," Ereli said.
Washington wants both sides to show restraint and to protect civilians from escalating violence, Ereli said.
"Innocents should be protected. Restraint should be exercised. And most importantly, the hostage, the innocent soldier, should be released," Ereli said.
Rice did not speak Friday with Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas, Ereli said.
On Wednesday, the White House said of the incursion, "Israel has the right to defend itself."
Israel has vowed to do everything possible to free the teenage soldier, Gilad Shalit.
The incursion into Gaza was the first since Israel pulled Jewish settlers and troops from the impoverished coastal strip last year in a highly controversial operation that ended a 38-year occupation.
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