The White House placed the blame on the Hamas terrorist organization for Israel's Operation "Cast Lead" attack on Gaza Saturday in a statement issued by spokesman Gordon Johndroe. "Hamas's continued rocket attacks into Israel must cease if the violence is to stop. Hamas must end its terrorist activities if it wishes to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people," said Johndroe.
At the same time, he cautioned Israel to avoid civilian casualties. IDF officials said Saturday that nearly all the 225 Gaza Arabs killed in Saturday's air raids were Hamas terrorists, many of them wearing Palestinian Authority Police uniforms.