"... Israel continues its defensive operations in order to stop Iran-backed Hamas from firing thousands of rockets, missiles and mortars on Israeli civilians."

Yep, the country financing and motivating the violence in Gaza (and also Lebanon) is our old bud Iran. Please recall that Iran was our best ally in the Middle East until Jimmy "Peanut Head" Carter pulled the plug on the Iranian Monarchy and allowed the Islamists to start their reign of terror. 30 years of Hell. Thank you, Jimmy Carter (who helps support the saying ("the good die young").