White House Israel has right to defend itself

WASHINGTON, June 28 (Reuters) Israel, which has moved troops into the Gaza Strip, has the right to defend itself, but should ensure innocent civilians are not harmed, White House spokesman Tony Snow said today.

''The hostage taking and the attacks by Hamas last weekend have precipitated the current events in Gaza,'' Snow said after Israel launched its first ground offensive since leaving the territory last year.

Hamas should immediately release an abducted Israeli soldier and it is the responsibility of the Palestinian Authority to stop ''all acts of violence and terror,'' he said.

''Israel has the right to defend itself and the lives of its citizens. In any actions the government of Israel may undertake the United States urges that it ensures that innocent civilians are not harmed, and also that it avoid the unnecessary destruction of property and infrastructure,'' he said.

Snow urged all parties to take measures to ''restore the security situation in Gaza.'' Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said Israel had no intention of recapturing the Gaza Strip, but the operation would continue over days if the Israeli soldier was not freed.

Corporal Gilad Shalit was captured in Israel by gunmen in a cross-border raid.

Reuters SHR RS2112