NEW : President Obama urges Israel to open Gaza border crossings . The U.S. president said he was "encouraged" by Israel's decision to allow the passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Clinton greets employees at the State Department . President Barack Obama weighed in Thursday on the conflict between Israel and Hamas , urging Israel to open Gaza border crossings and telling the Islamic fundamentalist organization to stop rocket fire into the Jewish state . Clinton was confirmed as secretary of state Wednesday .
NEW : President Obama urges Israel to open Gaza border crossings . The U.S. president said he was "encouraged" by Israel's decision to allow the passage of humanitarian aid into Gaza. Clinton greets employees at the State Department . Clinton was confirmed as secretary of state Wednesday .