"Now we must extend a hand of opportunity to those who seek peace, as part of a lasting ceasefire, Gaza's border crossings should be open to allow the flow of aid and commerce," Obama said during a maiden visit as president to the State Department.
The president, in his first major comments on the Middle East conflict since he inaugurated on Tuesday, called for a monitoring regime involving the Palestinian Authority and the international community for open Gaza borders.
"Relief efforts must be able to reach innocent Palestinians who depend on them," Obama said.
The president also said he was deeply concerned about the loss of civilian life in the Gaza conflict. However, he added Hamas must stop firing rockets into Israeli territory, and that he was fervently committed to Israel's security.
Source: Press TV