
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed Israel on Tuesday for a sharp escalation of violence in the West Bank as U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken urged calm on both sides and reaffirmed Washington's commitment to a two state solution.
Calling for "the complete cessation of unilateral Israeli actions, which violate the signed agreements and international law", Abbas reiterated the Palestinians' longstanding demand for Israel to end its occupation.