U.S. volunteers as a mediator to the conflict between Israel and Hamas
U.S. President Barack Obama gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the possibility to mediate a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, and urged both sides to “restore calm” to overcome a conflict that has caused 88 dead in just 72 hours.
In a telephone conversation, Obama told Netanyahu that “The United States remains prepared to facilitate a cessation of hostilities, including a return to the November 2012 ceasefire agreement.”
Obama reiterated the “strong condemnation” of the U.S. to continuous rocket fire against Israel by Hamas and other terrorist organizations, and reaffirmed “Israel’s right to defend itself against these attacks,” the White House said in a statement.
“The president expressed concern about the risk of further escalation and emphasized the need for all sides to do everything they can to protect the lives of civilians and restore calm,”the statement added.