Malaysia Airlines MH17 crash: Barack Obama calls Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu, discusses situation in Gaza

WASHINGTON: US President Barack Obama today called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the situation in Gaza and expressed hope that Israel will minimise civilian casualties in its ground offensive against Hamas.

"We discussed Israel's military operation in Gaza, including its efforts to stop the threat of terrorist infiltration through tunnels into Israel," Obama told White House reporters at a news conference.

"I reaffirmed my strong support for Israel's right to defend itself. No nation should accept rockets being fired into its borders or terrorists tunneling into its territory. In fact, while I was having the conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, sirens went off in Tel Aviv," he said.

Obama said he made clear that the US, its friends and allies are deeply concerned about the risks of further escalation and the loss of more innocent life.

"That's why we've indicated although we support military efforts by the Israelis to make sure that rockets are not being fired into their territory, we also have said that our understanding is the current military ground operations are designed to deal with the tunnels," he said.

"We are hopeful that Israel will continue to approach this process in a way that minimises civilian casualties and that all of us are working hard to return to the cease-fire that was reached in November of 2012.

"Secretary (of State John) Kerry is working to support Egypt's initiative to pursue that outcome," Obama said adding that Kerry is prepared to travel to the region following additional consultations.