In rare comments on the crisis, Mr Obama said any Israeli military strategy that ignored the human cost of the war "could ultimately backfire".

“Israel’s decision to cut off food, water and electricity to civilians under siege not only threatens to exacerbate the growing humanitarian crisis, but could also harden Palestinian attitudes for generations, eroding global support for Israel…”, he said.

Former President Obama said these would benefit Israel's enemies and "undermine long-term efforts to achieve regional peace and stability."

However, Mr. Obama did not forget to condemn the Hamas attack and reiterated his support for Israel's right to self-defense, while warning about the risks to civilians in such wars.

During his presidency, Mr. Obama generally supported Israel's right to self-defense at the start of the conflict with the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Gaza, but still called on Israel to exercise restraint after Palestinian casualties from airstrikes increased.

Gaza, a 45-km strip of land with 2.3 million people, has been politically ruled since 2007 by Hamas, but faces a blockade from Israel.

The former Obama administration brokered a peace deal in talks between Israel and the Palestinians, but it ultimately failed.

Mai Anh (according to Reuters)