Secretary of State John Kerry apparently expressed frustration with the swelling ground war between Israeli and Hamas fighters during a phone call with a top aide.
{mosads}“It’s a hell of a pin-point operation, it’s a hell of a pin-point operation,” Kerry said sarcastically while speaking with an aide named John on speakerphone while hooked up to microphones for an appearance on “Fox News Sunday.”
“It’s escalating significantly,” the aide told Kerry.
On Saturday night, the Israel Defense Forces posted a tweet that indicated it would step up its ground war to destroy tunnels that run from the Gaza Strip to Israel.
The death toll rose above 340 on Saturday – mostly comprised of civilians. Sixty were reported dead on Sunday morning alone, according to a report on ABC News.
As the fighting waged into its 14th day, three Israeli soldiers and two civilians have died.
Kerry replied, “We’ve ought to get over there.”
“I think, John, we have to go tonight,” Kerry continued. “I think it’s crazy to be sitting around. “
Asked by “Fox News Sunday” host Chris Wallace about the call, Kerry turned back to more official rhetoric, reiterating a belief that Israel has the right to protect itself.
“I think it’s very, very difficult in these situations,” he said. “I reacted as anybody would with respect to young kids and civilians.”
“War is tough, and I said that publicly and I’ll say it again.”