Obama, in call with Netanyahu, urges humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza

Reuters
U.S. President Barack Obama disembarks from Air Force One as he arrives at Los Angeles International Airport in Los Angeles, California, July 23, 2014. REUTERS/Larry Downing

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama, speaking by phone on Sunday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, stressed the need for an immediate, unconditional humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza, the White House said. Urging a permanent end to hostilities on the basis of the 2012 ceasefire agreement, Obama added that "ultimately, any lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict must ensure the disarmament of terrorist groups and the demilitarization of Gaza." (Reporting by Steve Holland; Editing by Peter Cooney and Jim Loney)