The US today blamed Hamas for the breakdown of a 72-hour humanitarian truce, saying the attack by the Palestinian militant group that left two Israeli soldiers dead in the Gaza Strip was an “outrageous violation”of the ceasefire.US Secretary of State John Kerry said, the United States condemns in the strongest possible terms today's attack, which led to the killing of two Israeli soldiers and the apparent abduction of another.

It was an outrageous violation of the ceasefire negotiated over the past several days, and of the assurances given to the United States and the United Nations.Kerry said in a statement that Hamas, which has security control over the Gaza Strip,must immediately and unconditionally release the missing Israeli soldier.

He also called on those with influence over Hamas to reinforce this message. Kerry said he has been in close touch with Israeli PrimeMinister Benjamin Netanyahu, UN Special Coordinator RobertSerry and with other regional partners over the developments.

Meanwhile, White House Deputy National Security AdvisorTony Blinken told the MSNBC that this appears to be an absolutely outrageous action by Hamas, using the cover of a ceasefire to conduct a surprise attack through a tunnel, killing Israeli soldiers, and perhaps taking one hostage.

Gaza health officials said, artillery shelling by Israelis in the southern Rafah area today killed at least 50 people, taking the Palestinian death toll to 1,509, mostly civilians. Israel and Hamas have blamed each other for the collapse of the fragile ceasefire.