CRAWFORD, Texas, Dec 29 (Reuters) - Israel is taking the necessary steps to respond to threats from rocket and mortar attacks by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the White House said on Monday.

"Israel is going after terrorists who are firing rockets and mortars into Israel, and they are taking the steps that they feel are necessary to deal with the terrorist threat," White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said in Texas where President George W. Bush is on vacation at his ranch.

Bush spoke to Saudi King Abdullah and told him that the United States wants to see an end to the violence in Gaza but in a durable way, Johndroe said. (Reporting by Tabassum Zakaria, writing by Jeremy Pelofsky, Editing by Sandra Maler)

AlertNet news is provided by