"I have no sympathy for Hamas,” said US President Barack Obama Thursday. “I have great sympathy for ordinary people who are struggling within Gaza. And the question then becomes, can we find a formula in which Israel has greater assurance that Gaza will not be a launching pad for further attacks, perhaps more dangerous attacks as technology develops into their country. But at the same time, ordinary Palestinians have some prospects for an opening of Gaza." The US president added that the “US goal right now is to make sure the ceasefire holds, that Gaza can beginning rebuilding and have hope, while Israel "can feel confident they are not going to have a repeat of rocket launches.”