President Bush spoke out today for the first time on the conflict in Gaza. He put the blame for the bloodshed squarely on Hamas. Click here to watch President Bush's full statement.

Bush said that "instead of caring about the people of Gaza, Hamas decided to use Gaza to launch rockets to kill innocent Israelis. Israel has obviously decided to defend herself and her people."

Some say Israel launched the attack now because it's not sure how friendly to such an attack a President Obama will be. But it knew it could depend on President Bush's backing.

Bush proved that today refusing to join the chorus of voices demanding an immediate cease fire.

"I know people are saying let's have a cease fire and those are noble ambitions. But any cease fire must have the conditions in it so that Hamas does not use Gaza as a place from which to launch rockets," Bush stated.

Bush did say he's still hopeful there can someday be a Palestinian state living side-by-side with Israel in peace.