Bush: Hamas Must Stop Firing Rockets

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Republicans

(AP Photo/Ariel Schalit)

In a phone call today, President Bush discussed prospects for a Middle East ceasefire with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, CBS News White House Correspondent Mark Knoller reports.

Mr. Bush, who is vacationing at his ranch in Crawford, Texas, agrees with Olmert that Hamas needs to stop firing rockets in order for violence to end, White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe told reporters.

"President Bush is disappointed that Hamas continues to fire rockets onto the innocent people of Israel," Johndroe said.

"[T]here is no doubt that Iran and Syria are the ones who have assisted Hamas with their weapons acquisition, and that's a problem," added Johndroe.

Olmert told Mr. Bush that Israel is taking steps to avoid civilian casualties in its assault on the Gaza Strip, now in its fifth day. Gaza officials say more than 390 have been killed and 1,600 wounded so far.

Mr. Bush also called Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari to urge them to cooperate in the Mumbai attack investigation, Johndroe said.

Click here to listen to Knoller's report from Crawford.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by marvenetta December 31, 2008 9:19 PM EST: Israel''s attack in Gaza and massacre of almost 400 defenseless, Palestinian civilians should be a war crime. Israel did not attack 1.5 million Palestinian civilians because of rockets being fired into Israeli cities. Israel attacked the Palestinians to slaughter them, terrorize them, and drive them out of Gaza for good. This is Israel''s solution to its palestinian problem and to expand its border boundaries, as well as to stop the US and UN from pressuring it about a peace process which would require Israel to give up land. For over a year, Israel has been blockading Gaza to commit genocide on the Palestinians via starvation, lack of medical care, and contaminated water. This final attempt by Israel is to prevent a return to pre-1967 border boundaries. Israel is trying desperately to drive Palestinians out of Gaza, and using Hamas and the firing of rockets into Israel as a smoke screem for its attack on the Palestinians. The US is a willing partner in Israel''s conspiracy. Hopefully, the Palestinians will stay on their land and Hamas will survive Israel. If Israel destroy the Hamas organization, it will hopefully be replaced by a more miltant group that will spares no violence and give the Israeli Zionist Jews the violence they deserve.; Reply to this comment