The President of the State of Israel, President Shimon Peres, spoke to the President of the United States of America, President Barack Obama this afternoon. At the start of the conversation President Peres updated President Obama about the situation on Israel's southern border and said, "The head of the military force of Hamas was killed half an hour ago. He was a most extreme man and was in charge of all the attacks and assassinations from Gaza against Israel. We shall handle it with great care. Our intension is not to raise the flames, but already for days, day and night, they are shooting rockets at Israel. Women cannot fall asleep. I was today there with the children. You know, there are limits. So I want you to know and I wanted to explain our motives."

President Peres congratulated President Obama on his re-election and said, "Your election is a great message for the entire world and for Israel. You are the best representative today of the future, looking ahead and doing it with a full heart." President Peres wished President Obama success for the next four years and said, "I'm sure you'll do it in the greatest way, this great mission."