Palestinians transport people injured in Israeli bombardment to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs hospital in Deir el-Balah in the central Gaza Strip on August 13, 2024 amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement. (Photo by Eyad BABA / AFP)
Washington: The United States on Tuesday criticized Israel's far-right national security minister for leading prayers at the flashpoint Al-Aqsa mosque compound, saying he had hurt efforts for talks toward a Gaza ceasefire.
"Not only is it unacceptable, it detracts from what we think is a vital time, as we are working to get this ceasefire deal across the finish line," State Department spokesman Vedant Patel told reporters.
