White House defends Israeli air strikes

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By Jon Ward

UPDATED:

The White House on Monday strongly defended of Israel's air strikes into the Gaza Strip, condemning civilian casualties but blaming the militant Palestinian group Hamas.

"The United States understands that Israel needs to take actions to defend itself," said White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe, briefing reporters at President Bush's ranch in Crawford, Texas.

"Israel is going after terrorists who are firing rockets and mortars into Israel. They are taking steps that they feel are necessary to deal with the terrorist threat," Mr. Johndroe said.

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Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Nevada Democrat, took a nearly identical, if not more muscular, position backing the Jewish state.

"I strongly support Israel's right to defend its citizens against rocket and mortar attacks from Hamas-controlled Gaza, which have killed and injured Israeli citizens, and to restore security to its residents," Mr. Reid said in a statement.

"Hamas' failure to stop these attacks only exacerbates the humanitarian situation for the residents of Gaza and undermines efforts to attain peace and security in the region."