Unlike Hamas, Abbas’ government publicly supports a two-state agreement with Israel. Hamas and other groups in the Gaza Strip have fired thousands of rockets at Israel in recent years.
‘‘A lasting ceasefire is essential for the people of Israel, whose communities lie in the path of these rockets,’’ Clinton said. But she added that Gazans deserve better, too. ‘‘Just as Israel cannot accept the threat of rockets, none of us can be satisfied with a situation that condemns people on both sides to conflict every few years. Those who fire the rockets are responsible for the violence that follows, but all parties in the region have a role to play in keeping the peace.’’
Clinton called on Egypt, specifically, to prevent new weapons from being smuggled into Gaza. And she demanded that U.S. allies that have grown closer to Hamas, such as Turkey and Qatar, make clear to Gaza’s rulers that confrontation is no one’s interest.
