Jarrett criticizes Israeli strikes

White House senior adviser Valerie Jarrett said Sunday that the Obama administration “can’t condone” Israeli military strikes in Gaza that have killed innocent civilians who were taking shelter nearby.

“This is why the cease-fire is so important,” Jarrett told CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

{mosads}“It’s a devastating situation. Israel absolutely has the right to defend itself, and we are Israel’s staunchest ally. But you also can’t condone the killing of all of these innocent children.

“I think everyone involved is frustrated,” Jarrett added. “But you can’t let your frustration get in the way of trying to be a constructive player here, and that’s what [Obama’s] determined to do.”

Jarrett’s comments follow a Wednesday strike by the Israeli military on a school in Gaza, which United Nations officials say killed at least 20 people, including many children, who were staying there as the conflict between Israel and Palestine wages on.

U.N. officials said Wednesday’s strike on the Gaza school, the sixth such strike on a school in the region, was responsible for killing the most people so far during the war, which started nearly a month ago.

Following the strike on the Gaza school, U.N. officials accused Israel of violating international law. The Obama administration followed Sunday with its own harsh comments for Israel.