JERUSALEM, June 6 (Xinhua) -- Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday told his British counterpart, Theresa May, that Hamas was responsible for violence in Gaza, during which Israeli forces killed at least 122 Palestinians since March.
The meeting in London was the last stop of Netanyahu's tour in Europe, held as part of his efforts to pressure key allies to withdraw their support to the international nuclear deal with Iran.
During statements at the start of their meeting, May raised Britain's worries about the death of protesters in the Gaza Strip.
"We have been concerned about the loss of Palestinian lives," May said, adding that Britain supports Israel's right to defend itself.
May told Netanyahu it is important to resume the peace talks, the last round of which was held in 2014.
Netanyahu said that the problems in Gaza "are rooted in the fundamental goal of Hamas to destroy Israel."
According to Netanyahu, the rallies near the fence between Israel and the besieged Palestinian enclave are not peaceful protests.
"In addition to burning our fields, these people are being paid by Hamas to try to break into Israel's defenses, kill as many Israelis as they can, right next to our border, and kidnap our soldiers," he said.
As for the nuclear deal, May said she and Netanyahu, a vocal opponent of the deal, have "differences." May said Britain will remain committed to the deal as long as Iran does so.
Netanyahu is on a three-day tour in Europe. On Monday, he met German Chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin before he traveled to Paris to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Netanyahu said the tour aims at trying to persuade European leaders to cancel their support to the deal and to halt Iran's effort to establish a military foothold in the Middle East.
