WASHINGTON, November 7. /TASS/. The United States believes that radical Palestinian movement HAMAS is responsible for deaths of children in the Gaza Strip, US National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby said on Tuesday.

When asked to comment on the UN Secretary General’s remarks that Gaza is becoming "a graveyard for children," as well as numerous deaths among international aid workers and journalists, the US official claimed that "Hamas is putting those children and their families in greater danger by not letting them go," by encouraging them to stay in the Gaza Strip and "by sheltering in their homes."

"We know that there's a portion of the 240 plus that they're holding, are kids. And we've been trying mightily to get those children released. We've had no success," he said.