Germany sides with Israel over Gaza escalation
Germany has blamed Hamas for the escalation of violence in the Middle East and called on Israel to avoid civilian casualties.
Chancellor Angela Merkel has spoken by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about the assault on Gaza that began Saturday. Merkel spokesman Thomas Steg said the chancellor and Olmert agreed that the "clear, sole responsibility for the situation lies with Hamas" for breaking a cease-fire. (AP)
