Bush brands Hamas rockets 'an act of terror on Israel'

PRESIDENT George Bush has branded the Hamas rocket attacks on Israel an "act of terror".

Mr Bush outlined his own condition for a ceasefire in Gaza, saying no peace deal would be acceptable without monitoring how to halt the flow of smuggled weapons to terrorist groups.

"The United States is leading diplomatic efforts to achieve a meaningful cease-fire that is fully respected," Mr Bush said.

"Another one-way ceasefire that leads to rocket attacks on Israel is not acceptable. And promises from Hamas will not suffice – there must be monitoring mechanisms in place to help ensure that smuggling of weapons to terrorist groups in Gaza comes to an end."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice briefed Mr Bush on developments in Gaza, and she continued telephone diplomacy to arrange a truce.

More than 400 Palestinians and four Israelis have been killed in the latest offensive. The UN estimated that a quarter of the Palestinians killed were civilians.

Mr Bush added: "This recent outburst of violence was instigated by Hamas – a Palestinian terrorist group supported by Iran and Syria that calls for Israel's destruction."