Washington  - The United States on Saturday urged restraint from Israel in its military operations in the Gaza Strip, but simultaneously offered sharp criticism of Hamas, the organization effectively governing the salient.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said Israel needs to avoid civilian deaths in its operations against Hamas. But, in the same statement, Johndroe also lambasted Hamas for its attacks on Israel and its support for terrorism.

Bush, who is vacationing at his Texas ranch, was not expected to make a public statement on the Israeli operations.

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice called for an immediate restoration of the ceasefire, which ended on December 19.

"We strongly condemn the repeated rocket and mortar attacks against Israel and hold Hamas responsible for breaking the ceasefire and for the renewal of violence there," Rice said in a statement.

Israel unleashed waves of airstrikes against the Gaza Strip Saturday, targeting Hamas installations and personnel, and killing 225 people, most of them militants, in a long-expected response to the more than 180 rockets fired at Israel from the salient in the past week. (dpa)