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Subscribe to RSSSecretary of State Hillary Clinton has undertaken the difficult task of helping to shepherd a possible ceasefire. Egyptian president Mohammed Morsi, meanwhile, is playing a key role as an intermediary with Hamas, a group labeled by the U.S. as a terrorist organization. NBC's Stephanie Gosk reports.
Updated at 4:50 p.m. ET: Following her arrival in Israel, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reiterated at a press conference Tuesday that America's commitment to Israel's security is "rock solid," adding that "the goal must be a durable outcome that promotes regional stability and advances the security and legitimate aspirations of Israelis and Palestinians alike."
"The rocket attacks from terrorist organizations inside Gaza on Israeli cities and towns must end, and a broader calm restored," Clinton said, adding that there are no substitutes for security and a just and lasting peace.
Speaking in Jerusalem, Clinton also offered her condolences for those lost in the violence.
"Our hearts break for the loss of every civilian, Israeli and Palestinian, and for all those who have been wounded and are living in fear and danger," she said, adding that she would work with Israel and Egypt on brokering a truce in Gaza "in the days ahead."
Israel is prepared to escalate its offensive but would prefer a long-term diplomatic solution, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday.
"If there is a possibility of achieving a long-term solution to this problem with diplomatic means, we prefer that," he said in a public statement alongside Clinton.
"But if not, I'm sure you understand that Israel will have to take whatever action is necessary to defend its people."
Earlier, a Hamas official said a truce with Israel would not be reached Tuesday because the Israeli government had yet to respond to proposals.
"The Israeli side has not responded yet, so we will not hold a (news) conference this evening and must wait until tomorrow," Ezzat al-Rishq, a senior Hamas leader, told Reuters. "The truce is now held up because we are waiting for the Israeli side to respond," he added in a short telephone interview.
A flurry of violence hit Gaza Tuesday as Israel bombed a Gaza bank and targeted the homes of militants. Hamas responded with more than 100 rockets. NBC's Richard Engel reports.
Clinton landed at 9:51 p.m. local time in Tel Aviv, where she met with Netanyahu. Later, Clinton will meet with the President of the Palestinian National Authority Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah before heading to Cairo.
A U.S. official stressed to NBC News that Clinton would not meet with representatives of Hamas, the Islamist organization that controls the Gaza Strip, largely because of its failure to renounce terrorism and recognize Israel's right to exist.
Egyptian officials said talks are ongoing to reach a truce in Gaza, although any agreement appears unlikely to address the long-term areas of disagreement between Israel and the Hamas leaders of the Gaza Strip, NBC's Ayman Mohyeldin reported Tuesday.
The expected "cessation of hostilities" will call on all parties to use maximum restraint, according to one former intelligence official familiar with the talks.
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Two sides exchange deadly airstrikes, rocket attacks.
Earlier Tuesday, President Barack Obama spoke to Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi, who is seeking to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas.
According to White House officials, Obama spoke to Morsi for the third time in 24 hours. Deputy National Security adviser Ben Rhodes said Obama wanted to talk to Morsi before Clinton's arrival in Israel.
Rhodes said Obama underscored the importance of Morsi working toward a de-escalation to the conflict in Gaza. He also commended Morsi's efforts to pursue a de-escalation and acknowledged Egypt's important role in the region's security.
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is attempting to bring about a ceasefire, or to prevent Israel from invading Gaza while convincing Egypt's president to pressure Hamas to stop firing rockets. NBC's Andrea Mitchell reports.
Rhodes said Obama emphasized the importance of a diplomatic solution, but said that rocket fire from Gaza into Israel must stop.
Israel Defense Forces continued airstrikes overnight, and also said 39 rockets fired from Gaza hit Israel Tuesday in a message on its Twitter account.
Since Israel launched its military campaign seven days ago in response to rocket fire, more than 100 people in Gaza and three people in Israel have been killed.
Internationally, the main focus was on stopping the violence, and Morsi hinted at a possible breakthrough Tuesday.
Speaking at his sister's funeral in Egypt, Morsi said the "aggression on Gaza" would end Tuesday. He made the apparently off-the-cuff comments in front of mourners who had come to pay their respects, but did not elaborate. Several journalists traveling with Morsi confirmed he made the remark.
'Army must invade': In southern Israel, support grows for action in Gaza
In Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Israel would be a “willing partner” in a cease-fire, but also issued a warning.
He said if further military action proved necessary “to stop the constant barrage of rockets, Israel will not hesitate to do what is necessary to defend our people.”
And Mohammed Deif, the new leader of Hamas' military wing, sounded a defiant note, saying that the movement was ready to fight and would not back down from its efforts to liberate Palestine.
He was speaking in his first audio recording since the group’s previous top military commander, Ahmed Jabari, was killed in an Israeli airstrike Wednesday. Deif, who has survived several assassination attempts in the past, called for Hamas’ supporters to remain steadfast.
We are very scared': Egyptians fear being mired in Gaza-Israel crisis
Related stories:
Hamas says 'land war' would cost Israeli PM Netanyahu the election
Key players in the Israel-Gaza cross-border conflict
How Israel's 'Iron Dome' intercepts incoming rockets in Gaza conflict
Israeli government websites under mass hacking attack
'Difficult' situation
It is unclear how much influence Clinton can have on the situation.
“She is going to go out there to be in the region to have direct, face-to-face discussions with those leaders,” Rhodes said. “I don’t want to predict exactly what the outcome of those discussions will be. We all know how difficult this situation is.”
The White House thinks the leaders who are heavily involved in the region “understand what the best outcome is,” Rhodes added, but that a peaceful goal is only achievable “if Hamas takes action to stop what they’ve been doing.”
An Israeli soldier and a civilian died when rockets exploded near the Gaza frontier, police and the army said.
An Israeli air strike on two cars in the Gaza Strip killed six Palestinians Tuesday, while two children died in an attack in the north of the territory, local residents and medics told Reuters.
United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called Tuesday for an immediate cease-fire in Gaza and said a threatened Israeli ground operation in the Palestinian enclave would be a “dangerous escalation” that must be avoided.
Later, standing alongside Netanyahu in Jerusalem, Ban urged Israel to show "maximum restraint" and condemned rocket attacks on Israel.
Also Tuesday, Arab League chief Nabil Elaraby and the foreign ministers of Turkey, Egypt, Lebanon, Tunisia and Sudan traveled from Egypt to Gaza in an unprecedented move designed to show solidarity with the Palestinians, NBC News reported.
US Embassy guard wounded
Meanwhile, a man was arrested after he stabbed a security guard Tuesday at the U.S. Embassy in Tel Aviv, a police spokesman told Reuters.
The spokesman said the guard opened fire during the attack.
Israel Radio said the attacker, who police said was armed with a knife and an ax, was wounded.
Oded Balilty / AP
Israeli police officers detain a man who attacked a security guard at the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv, Israel, Tuesday.
NBC's Shawna Thomas, Ayman Mohyeldin and Ian Johnston, and Reuters contributed to this report.
More world stories from NBC News:
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- Key players in the Israel-Gaza cross-border conflict
- French girl found tied up - but alive - in trunk after routine traffic stop
- Mexican company Bimbo may be eyeing Twinkies
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Leave a Comment:
Attention All Red State Rednecks And Those That Voted With Them
OBAMA IS THE PRESIDENT!!! romney is a loser
so just KWITCHERBITCHN
Your ability to stay focused on the topic of the article is simply astounding Michael....not surprising though. Not original either.
focus dude.
Troy I am commenting on the stupid hateful comment from your team.
michael:RE REad YOU INTELLIGABLE POST. YOU and your kind are the purveyors of hate and division, while being ignorant of Obama and hois scores of failures and ineptness!
WE will complain. THERE IS NO excuse for Obama,his incompetence and the clowns he surronds himself with.
Eric? Aren't you late for a KKK meeting? It's free pretzel night tonight. Now run along, iron your sheets.
You see Eric
The majority of the Blue State voters knew they were voting for a good, intelligent and decent man vs a greedy hateful stupid man.
The majority of the Red State voter were voting for a White Man vs a Black Man.
The Liberty was not attacked in error. It was deliberate and planned. Read up about it.
Oh, and by the way, the last time I checked, the USA wasn't at war with Israel. Though after that attack, we should have been.
Well here we go.. I guess we could not keep our nose out..
Obama should stop like this war .<a href="">akazad</a>
I thought it peculiar that President Obama didn't condemn the Hamas attacks; rather, suggested that any country has a right to defend itself when attacked by missiles.
"...the United Nations warned against a possible Israeli ground invasion."
Or you will do what? Really. I'm serious. The UN has proven it is a completely ineffective international body time and time again. If I'm Isreal, not sure if I would consider the UN a threat of any kind. You would have to slaughter around 20,000 of your own people and then they would send in peace monitors....that's about it.
Do what you have to do to secure your country Isreal.
Yea, they really respect a woman in that part of the world! Fail, just send more weapons for all. the fools will sort it out.
Hi-yo Hillary to the rescue!
First......, lady, pu-leeeze do something about the hair.
I know this will be erased, but just to get it out there, @!$%# THE BABY KILLING JEWS>>> Pay back in a mother @!$%#er and GOD will be doing the pay back. now I fell better... thank you..
Boromir,
That statement gives one an incredible insight into the conflict raging in your mind bud. I am assuming you are a Christian since you believe in God....but I'm pretty sure God does not intead for you to radiate hatred to anybody at all. It is poisonous to your soul. If you do indeed believe in God, have faith that he will deliver justice to any and all who deserve it.
If I'm misreading your comment though just say something witty and insulting and move on.
It's not healthy for your soul to harbor so much hate for anybody.
I don't hate the people, only the actions and reason they do what they do. I take it to much to heart when I see a child being killed,. It makes no sense for either side. How can a people that claim their belief in god as strong as Jewish people do be so God-less and worse than the people they claim to be the bad guys. Sorry for the out burst, I've seen to much in my life.. way to much killing for 5 life times let alone one. For a people that had a History of mistreatment, I would expect them to show some remorse for others.
If you are irate now for a child being killed you should be a raving lunatic for the thousand plus children killed by their own government in Syria. Or maybe you would turn the other cheek if 1000 rockets where fired into your country, town or home. No one country in the World that can defend themselves would put up with terrorist firing rockets every hour of the day for months. The USA would end this type of behavior in a day if such circumstances came about here. If you tried to kill someone and that someone fought back and a child was killed who's fault is it? This is not going to end by Israel letting Hamas attack them and doing nothing. Peace is the only answer and when Hamas lives only for the complete destruction of Israel and whomever is living there tell me there will ever be a Peace?
No, I understand the way the world is,
materialism. . Myself I'd rather eat a pork
chop and live, than eat my own $hit to save a diamond, get my point ? This is
about a Nation of people that are making others suffer for their own
materialism.
Let me tell you how things are here, in the south of Israel.
Can you even start to grasp how my mind works at times likes this?
I think twice if to take a shower, because there might start and alarm and I will have less then 45 seconds (in a best case scenario) to run for cover. should I lock the door to the shower? It takes at least three more precious seconds to open it...?
I have to think twice if to leave home, even for the grocery store. And on the way, my eyes seek for the closest building or hiding place in case of an alarm.
Yesterday I argued with my husband if in case of an alarm, should he stop the car and take the car keys with him (again- two more precious seconds go to waist) or run away and leave the keys while taking the risk of someone stealing the car?
My brother lives also in Beer Sheva and has to wake up his one year old twins and run for the public staircase, because he has no safe space at his house. He is far from being the only one...
Can you even grasp to understand how kids from Sderot live, with less than 15 seconds to run for cover?
What's 15 seconds? It takes 2 precious seconds just to snap out of it and start moving... What if you have babies and small children to look out for, who do you grab first? should you have to choose which child to take?
And I'm not talking about the schools, where there is no chance to evacuate the whole classroom to a safe inviroment...
Eventually, these kids hide under their class table.
The phsicological damage the Hamas is responsible for is so huge you can't even start to imagine.
I have taught one month on summer camp some of these kids who were from Sderot (only 6-7 years old!) and were actually born to this reality. They all have cell phones to contact home in case of an emergency. They all are trained to run for cover and lie down on floor with their hand protecting the head,
and they all have stories of a scary situation where and alarm caught them ungaurded.
We are talking about hundreds of missiles launched towars Israel only in the last week... I don't even want to try counting how many fell on Israel on the past ten years!
And no... Hammas didn't start shooting missiles yesterday. We have been suffering from launched missiles from Gaza towards us citizens for years!!!
Its only a miracle that we have little and almost no casualties. But we do suffer every day!!!
We are talking about hundreds of missiles launched towars Israel only in the last week... I don't even want to try counting how many fell on Israel on the past ten years!
I personally am terrified. I'm about to have my first child born in a month from now, and I'm so scared that this is the reality he will be born to.
The Hamas has no right to treat us this way and wish for our death every day.
And this is my true message to you Hammasnics:
If you haven't figured it out on your own-
WE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE IN PEACE ON OUR LAND!!!!
We have a right to fight back when threatened on a daily basis and we won't hesitate to fight as long as needed.
We are here in Israel to stay. That's not going to change.
And- as you can see after sending over 800 missiles with almost no Israeli blood spilled- God and the good carma is on our side, even if you (or the rest of the world) aren't!
Sincerely written by a proud Jew and Israeli.
I see the pictures of the children and I weep. Just last nite I asked my husband....can you imagine living like that????
War will end when the soldiers themselves, wherever they are and whoever they are, lay down their arms and so no more. When they say no to their governments and no to their "leaders", when they say no to the extremists who are crazy and bloodthirsty, the wars will end.
I will pray for you and yours, as I do for all children in the world every day.
Let me tell you how things are here, in the south of Israel.
Can you even start to grasp how my mind works at times likes this?
I think twice if to take a shower, because there might start and alarm and I will have less then 45 seconds (in a best case scenario) to run for cover. should I lock the door to the shower? It takes at least three more precious seconds to open it...?
I have to think twice if to leave home, even for the grocery store. And on the way, my eyes seek for the closest building or hiding place in case of an alarm.
Yesterday I argued with my husband if in case of an alarm, should he stop the car and take the car keys with him (again- two more precious seconds go to waist) or run away and leave the keys while taking the risk of someone stealing the car?
My brother lives also in Beer Sheva and has to wake up his one year old twins and run for the public staircase, because he has no safe space at his house. He is far from being the only one...
Can you even grasp to understand how kids from Sderot live, with less than 15 seconds to run for cover?
What's 15 seconds? It takes 2 precious seconds just to snap out of it and start moving... What if you have babies and small children to look out for, who do you grab first? should you have to choose which child to take?
And I'm not talking about the schools, where there is no chance to evacuate the whole classroom to a safe inviroment...
Eventually, these kids hide under their class table.
The phsicological damage the Hamas is responsible for is so huge you can't even start to imagine.
I have taught one month on summer camp some of these kids who were from Sderot (only 6-7 years old!) and were actually born to this reality. They all have cell phones to contact home in case of an emergency. They all are trained to run for cover and lie down on floor with their hand protecting the head,
and they all have stories of a scary situation where and alarm caught them ungaurded.
We are talking about hundreds of missiles launched towars Israel only in the last week... I don't even want to try counting how many fell on Israel on the past ten years!
And no... Hammas didn't start shooting missiles yesterday. We have been suffering from launched missiles from Gaza towards us citizens for years!!!
Its only a miracle that we have little and almost no casualties. But we do suffer every day!!!
We are talking about hundreds of missiles launched towars Israel only in the last week... I don't even want to try counting how many fell on Israel on the past ten years!
I personally am terrified. I'm about to have my first child born in a month from now, and I'm so scared that this is the reality he will be born to.
The Hamas has no right to treat us this way and wish for our death every day.
And this is my true message to you Hammasnics:
If you haven't figured it out on your own-
WE HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE IN PEACE ON OUR LAND!!!!
We have a right to fight back when threatened on a daily basis and we won't hesitate to fight as long as needed.
We are here in Israel to stay. That's not going to change.
And- as you can see after sending over 800 missiles with almost no Israeli blood spilled- God and the good carma is on our side, even if you (or the rest of the world) aren't!
Sincerely written by a proud Jew and Israeli.
It's not your land it is the Palestinian's land. You Zionists are the murderers, starting with such terrorists as the Irgun and Stern gangs and continuing to oppress the Palestinians to the present day. If it weren't for American support (because of Zionist control of media in the U.S.) you wouldn't exist anymore.
Thomas...you seem very strongly committed to your Anti-Israeli hate comments. I understand HAMAS is asking for Volunteers to shield the palestinians and residents of Gaza. Join up!!! then, come back and tell us how it felt to be stoned by the palestinians and HAMAS for being a n American...stitch a US Flag to the back of your shirt. Take action on your commitment to hate , Otherwise, ESAD!
Thomas,
If the Palestinians keep poking the fire ant nest there wont be any of them left soon to claim any land at all. They have been giving up on average around a hundred Palestinian lives for one Isreali for years now. To hell with ideology, that is just not practical. It comforts me that they are so incapable, dont get me wrong....I'm with trythisonforsize...why don't you buy a ticket and go fight the good fight. Both Isreal and Hamas recruit internationally...they would take you in.
Avivit-
Ignore the brain-dead Israeli haters here. There are MORE of us supporting you than not here in the US.
I for one hope BIBI completely ANNIHILATES Hamas. It's past time to clean the Gaza house.
Take care and I hope you do post again.
If I am not mistaken didn't the Palestinians choose Hamas to run their government? Hamas has always been a terrorist organization. Why are the Palestinians surprised at what they got?
There is no denying muslim brotherhood is popular in the arab countries. They have been freely elected in all arab countries that have held free elections so far Gaza,Tunisia and Egypt. US and Israel need to find a way to manage that new reality and minimize conflict.
Well at least we know what it takes to get America to respond........Benghazi wasn't a big enough trophy
Hillary Clinton? Yeah, she's going to get a lot of respect in a part of the world where terrorists murdered our ambassador, and three other americans on her watch, after her department reduced their security. Her political career is toast, as it should be.
Oh and BUSH will not!! He's just the most respected man in the Middle East after Iraq. NOT
Rob99:
IT IS NOT ABOUT BUSH.... GET OVER IT!
THE whole article is on Clinton and Obama... TRY and focus.... something you and your fellow pathogens can't do. YOU are always in "divert mode" to deflect the focus away from your incompetence and FAILURES!
LIKE IT or NOT! THIs fiasco belongs to Clinton and Obama....SO OWN IT! Quit being so gutless and irresponsible!!
Clinton is the biggest sh*t talking corrupt (Rose Law Firm) Zionist supporter she can only inflame things.
What exactly does Hamas want?? Anybody.
Only their land back illegally stolen by Balfour treaty and the Israeli`s to stop killing their women and children and posting the videos on Youtube!
"Hamas vows no surrender"
I Hope the Israelis vow no survivors!!!
Israel Illegal home to the nastiest evil race on earth whose only true support is through bought leaders and owned media printing lies and poison. Why have they been thrown out of so many countries through the ages even the scriptures if to be believed as this is their only deed to the land labels them an evil race. Easy to spot with their big noses, beady bespectacled eyes, your money stuffed in their pocket and blood on their hands!
Wow David, for a minute I thought you were describing Chicago and the obammie administration.
Hopefully she will get a new hairdo while there making everything allright !
Hillary Clinton to the Middle East: what a farce! She is also responsible for the deaths in Benghazi and is totally disgraced. She just keep's travelling so she doesn't have to face Congress hoping the massacre in Benghazi gets forgotten. Her ambassador got murdered. Bill screwed Monica, Hillary screwed Ambassador Stevens.
George W. destroyed any positive influence that this country had in the region.
So you admit that Hillary Rodham Clinton's Mideast trip is useless.
Yes it may accomplish some short term goal if it is tied to foreign aid to the countries in the region but as long as all parties continue to hold onto their religious beliefs they is little hope for a lasting peace.
Hillary is America's Kamikaze
Wow this place is jew heaven never have i read such a biased slant from the journalists and the posters must be jew owned and run spewing their poison on mass to manipulate and mislead no names given to identify who wrote the articles...sneaky jewery!
You cannot convince a Christian they are wrong in their beliefs. You cannot convince a Muslim that they are wrong in their beliefs. You cannot convince a Jewish person that they are wrong in their beliefs so you have the never ending unresolved conflict that has no solution but the continued fighting.
You can't convince a democrat or a republican or anyone else either. So present you own idea and If He, she, I or anyone else chooses to believe it then so be it. If not, so be it. What make you think your so right. Well lets see, because you believe it.
Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran.......Bomb bomb bomb bomb bomb Iran You got em rocking and a rollin screamin and smoking .......Bomb Iran!
Obama and Hillary drew straws for the Asian tour or the Mideast tour........Hillary lost again