US says Hamas to blame for Gaza violence
President Bush labels Hamas rockets attacks "act of terror"
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Saturday, 03, Jan 2009 12:23
US president George Bush has laid the blame for the violence between Hamas and Israel in Gaza on the militant organisation.
Speaking in his weekly radio address, the outgoing US head of state said Hamas was committed to the destruction of Israel and had launched rockets at Israeli citizens following the end of a six-month ceasefire.
Mr Bush added the US was leading diplomatic efforts to bring humanitarian aid to the war-torn area but said he would not support a ceasefire that would lead to a another round of violence between the two sides.
"Another one-way ceasefire that leads to rocket attacks on Israel is not acceptable," he said.
"And promises from Hamas will not suffice - there must be monitoring mechanisms in place to help ensure that smuggling of weapons to terrorist groups in Gaza comes to an end.
"I urge all parties to pressure Hamas to turn away from terror, and to support legitimate Palestinian leaders working for peace."
Palestinian officials say more than 400 of its citizens have lost their lives in the Israeli air campaign so far and four Israelis have also been killed by Hamas rockets fired into the Jewish state since the start of the violence.
Previously, Israel has rejected calls for a truce and has stressed that the air-strikes were just the first phase of a lengthy campaign already approved by its cabinet.
Hamas' leader-in-exile Khaled Meshaal has warned Israel of a "black destiny" if it decided to launch ground operations in Gaza.
At least two senior Hamas leaders - Nizar Rayyan and Abu Zakaria al-Jamal - have been killed in air strikes over the last three days.