State Department spokesman urges restraint on all sides, but praises Jewish state for 'great restraint' in recent days and says it has right to respond to rocket attacks from Hamas. President Bush expresses his concern over Gaza violence
The United States said on Thursday that Israel had the right to defend itself against rocket attacks from the Palestinian terror group Hamas and praised the Jewish state for "great restraint" in recent days.  
Israeli air strikes on Thursday destroyed a Hamas security headquarters and a car carrying one of the group's top commanders. Israel had threatened a "severe" response to cross-border rocket attacks that have persisted despite a troop and settler pullout from Gaza in 2005.  
Gaza Violence  
Hamas members killed in IDF strikes / Ynet reporters   
IAF strikes a number of targets across Gaza Strip. Bodyguard of senior Interior Ministry official killed; commander of rocket manufacturing team critically hurt. Earlier, Hamas member killed on attack on group's headquarters   
US President George W Bush said during a press conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair at the White House that he was concerned over the violence in Gaza. Blair said that the situation was very dangerous.  
We want to continue to work for the vision of two states living side by side, Bush said, adding that this would require strong leaders on both sides. The US president also addressed the checkpoint problem, saying that the US was aware of the humiliation of people unable to move freely.  
He went on to condemn the rocket fire directed at Sderot, saying he was aware of the fear when rockets fall on a person's roof.  
The British prime minister said that the two-state solution was the only solution and that all efforts must be exerted in order to advance it.  
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack urged restraint on all sides but said Israel had the right to respond to rocket attacks from Hamas.  
"Israel has the right to defend itself and it has exercised great restraint in the face of these rocket attacks," McCormack told reporters.  
Syria calls on Palestinians to unite against Israel
US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice spoke earlier to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas as well as Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert about the latest violence pitting Abbas' Fatah movement against Hamas. Israel has also launched deadly air strikes against the group.  
"She wanted to talk to them directly and see how they saw the situation," said McCormack of the calls Rice made to the two leaders.  
"We certainly want to see a reduction or an end to the violence but let's remember how that violence started and it started with these Hamas-led forces," he added.
UK Foreign Secretary Margaret Beckett said in a statement, "I remain deeply worried by the continuing violence between militias in the Gaza Strip. We want to see the latest ceasefire take hold, for the sake of all the people of Gaza. I support President Abbas' efforts to achieve this.  
"I also deplore rocket attacks from Gaza against Israel, attacks that are bringing suffering to Israeli civilians. I would like to express my sorrow for the families of civilians killed and injured, on all sides. I call on all parties to refrain from violence and to restore to the people of Gaza and nearby Israeli communities the security that they need and deserve," she said.   
Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni said Thursday, "We must give the Palestinians the message that terror has its price: The Palestinian government is responsible for the aggressive acts, and it chooses not to control them."
Livni added that "we should ask ourselves what the most effective tool is in getting the Qassam attacks on Israel to stop. Our toolbox holds military operations and diplomatic operations."
Syria called on the Palestinian factions to halt the deadly infighting in order to unite against Israel, the official state news agency SANA reported. According to the report, Damascus called on the Palestinians to "maintain unity, as part of the aspirations of the Palestinian people."  
Ronny Sofer and Raanan Ben-Zur contributed to the report
 Original Source