Bush: Israel right to protect itself

US President George W Bush, in his first public reaction to Israel’s ground invasion of Gaza, has said that the Jewish state was justified in protecting itself against Hamas militants.

“I understand Israel’s desire to protect itself,” Bush said in the Oval Office. “The situation now taking place in Gaza was caused by Hamas.”

Israel began moving tanks and troops in the coastal Gaza Strip over the weekend after a week of punishing bombing raids on Hamas targets. The move escalated the latest Mideast conflict into urban warfare, which is sure to increase the casualties and consequences for the region.