UK says Gaza live fire 'deeply troubling', violence 'destructive to peace efforts'

Violence in Gaza is destructive to the peace process, a spokesman for UK Prime Minister Theresa May said on Tuesday. The statement came after scores of protesters were killed by Israeli troops on the Gaza-Israeli border. “We are extremely concerned by the scale of the violence. The loss of life and the large number of injured Palestinians is tragic… Such violence is destructive to peace efforts,” according to the spokesman. “We call on all sides to show restraint and refrain from any further violence. Palestinians have the right to protest but these protests must be peaceful.” Britain is concerned that “extremist elements may be seeking to hijack peaceful protests to further their own objectives,” the spokesman said. He added that Israel has the right to defend its borders, but “the use of live fire is deeply troubling,” Reuters reports.