WASHINGTON (AP) – Secretary of State John Kerry says Israel “has every right in the world to defend itself” from attacks by Hamas militants in Gaza, but the U.S. is working diligently to get an immediate cease-fire in place.
Kerry says Israel long has endured rocket attack by Hamas, and no nation “would sit there while rockets are bombarding it.”
Kerry also cites tunnels constructed by Hamas in what he says is “an obvious effort” to try to kidnap Israelis.
Kerry tells NBC’s “Meet the Press” that it’s “unacceptable by any standard anywhere in the world” and that Israel must protect its citizens.
Kerry also says he believes that President Barack Obama will want him to return to the Mideast shortly to see if a cease-fire can be put in place.