U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi Wednesday night about the rocket attacks launched from the Gaza Strip into Israel and the escalating violence in the region.
The White House said Obama reiterated U.S. support for Israel's right to self-defense from rocket attacks being against its civilians, and urged Israel to "make every effort to avoid civilian casualties" in its response.
Israel carried out a blistering offensive of more than 50 airstrikes in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, assassinating Hamas' military commander in the most intense attack on the territory in nearly four years.
Israel said the airstrikes, launched in response to days of rocket fire out of Hamas-ruled Gaza, were the beginning of a broader operation against Islamic militants, known as Operation Pillar of Defense. Israeli defense officials said a ground operation was a strong possibility in coming days, although they stressed no decisions had been made.
Obama and Netanyahu agreed that Hamas had to stop its attacks on Israel to allow tensions to ease, the White House said. The two leaders agreed to stay in close touch in coming days. Earlier Wednesday, Netanyahu also spoke to Vice President Joe Biden on the events in Gaza.
State Department spokesman Mark Toner issued a statement saying, "There is no justification for the violence that Hamas and other terrorist organizations are employing against the people of Israel. We call on those responsible to stop these cowardly acts immediately. We support Israel's right to defend itself, and we encourage Israel to continue to take every effort to avoid civilian casualties."
Toner also delivered a clear message to the Palestinians: "Hamas claims to have the best interests of the Palestinian people at heart, yet it continues to engage in violence that is counterproductive to the Palestinian cause.”
President Shimon Peres also spoke to Obama on Wednesday about the assassination. "Israel is not interested in stoking the flames, but for the past five days there has been constant missile fire at Israel and mothers and children cannot sleep quietly at night," Peres was quoted as telling Obama. "There is a limit to what Israel can absorb."
On Wednesday, Netanyahu held a special Political-Security Cabinet meeting to discuss the operation. He described the goals of the Pillar of Defense operation: "Strengthen deterrence, damage long-range rockets and take the initiative back. Hamas and other terrorist organizations escalated the situation. Israel cannot tolerate a situation in which its citizens are threatened by rocket fire. We accurately hit strategic Hamas targets. We significantly harmed their ability to launch rockets to the center of the country."
"Terrorist organizations hit our citizens deliberately while hiding behind their civilians," Netanyahu continued. "Their goal is clear: They want to wipe us off the face of the earth. We are careful not to harm citizens. We sent a clear message to terrorist organizations. If there is a need, the IDF is prepared to expand the operation. We will do everything to protect our citizens."
Defense Minister Ehud Barak praised the IDF Military Intelligence Directorate and the Israel Security Agency for the exact information they gathered that led to the assassination.
"You have to remember that it will not be a quick fix," Barak said, "We can expect complicated tests."
Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman also called a special discussion on Wednesday for officials in the Foreign Ministry to discuss the diplomatic implications of the Pillar of Defense operation.
"It is very important to explain to the countries of the world that Israel's citizens have the right to live in peace and security just like all the rest of the world's citizens. They should not have to conduct their lives according to sirens telling them that a rocket is on its way from Gaza.
The Foreign Ministry issued a statement to Israeli embassies around the world, citing 10 reasons why no country in the world would accept the current reality in Israel today in their own country.
Obama also spoke to Morsi, given Egypt's central role in preserving regional security, the White House said. The two men agreed on the need to de-escalate the conflict as quickly as possible.
With at least 10 Palestinians dead, including two young children, Wednesday's offensive was certain to set off a new round of heavy fighting with Gaza militants, who have built up a formidable arsenal of rockets and missiles.
It also threatened to upset Israel's relations with neighboring Egypt and shake up the campaign for Israeli elections in January. In a preliminary response, Egypt recalled its ambassador to Israel in protest.
Israel's relations have been deteriorating with Egypt's new Islamist government, and Egypt's lawless Sinai desert has become a staging ground for militant attacks on Israel.
As expected, the Arab world has condemned the assassination.
A statement from Egypt's Foreign Ministry said: "Foreign Minister Mohamed Kamel Amr condemned the series of air strikes that Israel is currently conducting against Gaza Strip, and which led to the killing of Ahmed al-Jabari. He called on Israel to stop its strikes on Gaza Strip immediately … the Israeli attack will not go unpunished."
The Gulf Times reported that Qatari Foreign Minister Sheikh Hamad bin Jassim bin Jabor Al Thani said, "I condemn in the name of Qatar ... This filthy crime must not pass without a punishment."
Britain called on Israel and the Palestinians to behave with restraint to prevent more regional deterioration.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for an end to Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip, demanding punishment for Israel and calling on the U.N. Security Council to become involved.