President Barack Obama praised Egypt's proposal Monday for a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, telling Muslim-Americans that he's hopeful that the plan can restore calm in the wake of a deadly wave of violence, according to Reuters.
"We're going to continue to do everything we can to facilitate a return to the 2012 cease-fire," Obama said at a White House dinner celebrating the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, Reuters reported. "We are encouraged that Egypt has made a proposal to accomplish that goal."
Obama's comments came as he presided over an annual Iftar dinner at the White House in celebration of the holy month of Ramadan, according to Reuters.
In remarks to dinner guests, who included diplomats from the Arab and Muslim world, Obama said the U.S. goal continued to be peace and security for Israelis as well as Palestinians, Reuters reported.
Egypt presented a plan to end a week of heavy fighting that has killed at least 185 people as both Israel and the Palestinians say they are seriously considering the proposal, marking the first sign of a breakthrough in international efforts to end the conflict, according to Reuters.
"More broadly, the situation in Gaza reminds us, again, that the status quo is unsustainable," Obama said, Reuters reported. "The only path to true security is a just and lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians."
Ahead of the dinner, the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee called for a boycott of all government-hosted iftar dinners, objecting to U.S. support for Israel during the conflict and alleged government spying on Muslim-Americans, according to Reuters.
Ellison said he shared the group's concerns but disagreed with the boycott and said it was important for passionate members of the Muslim community to attend, Reuters reported.
Obama also said the U.S. has been "very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself" against an onslaught of rockets being launched indiscriminately by Hamas militants into Israel, according to Reuters.
Obama also lamented the death and injury of Palestinian civilians in Gaza during Israel's military response to quell the rockets, urging that civilians be protected and warning against further escalation by either side, Reuters reported.
"Now I will say very clearly, no country can accept rockets fired indiscriminately at citizens. And so we've been very clear that Israel has the right to defend itself about what I consider inexcusable attacks from Hamas," Obama said, according to Reuters.
