Baghdad - US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin warned that violence against Palestinians in the West Bank could turn against Israel if it is not controlled.

Austin said during a congressional hearing yesterday, Tuesday, in response to a question about attacks and violence against Palestinians in the West Bank: “I mentioned previously that I spoke with my (Israeli) counterpart almost every day, and this is what I address every time when I speak with him.”

He added: "I follow these reports and some of the things we see are very disturbing, and this will turn against them (against the Israelis) if they go ahead with this and if they do not take a decision to control this."

In turn, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said, during the same hearing, that these attacks “add fuel to the fire.”

He added: “We saw people being forcibly removed from their communities, as well as their killing, and this is what we remain in contact about and discuss with the Israeli government at the highest levels, and this is what we are following with great interest.”

Source: National Iraqi News Agency