The United States urged on Friday both Israel and the Palestinian Authority to exercise restraint after the tension caused by the kidnapping of an Israeli soldier kept rising.

"There is no question that Israel has a right to defend itself and the lives of its citizens. But we also urge the Israeli government to ensure that innocent civilians are not harmed, to exercise restraint and to refrain from adversely affecting the Palestinian humanitarian situation," State Department spokeswoman Julie Reside said at a briefing.

Meanwhile, Reside also called for the immediate and unconditional release of kidnapped Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit by the Palestinian extremists.

Israeli air and ground operations against the Palestinians continued in Gaza on Friday, and six Palestinians were killed and 10 injured. Meanwhile, an Israeli soldier has also been killed in the fighting.

Source: Xinhua