WASHINGTON D.C.
The United States is prepared to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, U.S. President Barack Obama told Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call, according to a White House statement on Thursday.
Obama reiterated the U.S.' condemnation of the firing of rockets into Israel, and said Israel has a right to defend itself against the attacks.
"The President expressed concern about the risk of further escalation and emphasized the need for all sides to do everything they can to protect the lives of civilians and restore calm," said the statement.
According to the statement, the two leaders also discussed the abduction of a Palestinian teenager, who was found dead on July 2.
"The President welcomed the arrest of suspects in the abduction and murder of Palestinian teenager Muhammad Abu Khdeir and expressed appreciation for the Prime Minister’s determination to see that they be brought to justice," the statement said.
He also reportedly expressed concern about the beating and detention of teenage American citizen Tariq Khdeir and acknowledged Israel's efforts to resolve the case.
The two leaders discussed ongoing nuclear negotiations between world powers and Iran, and reiterated that the U.S. would only accept an agreement which ensures Iran's nuclear program is limited to peaceful purposes only.
Since late Monday, Israeli warplanes have pounded the Gaza Strip as part of a military offensive – dubbed "Operation Protective Edge" – with the stated aim of ending rocket fire from Gaza.
At least 88 Palestinians have been killed by Israel since the operation commenced, according to Palestinian medical sources.
Gaza-based resistance factions, meanwhile, have continued to fire rockets into Israel in response to the unrelenting airstrikes. There have been no Israeli deaths reported as a result of the rocket fire.
The Israeli Army claimed earlier that Hamas had fired over 365 rockets at Israel from Gaza in less than three days.
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