The United States said on Friday that Israel has right to defend itself, but also has to "consider the consequences of its actions."

"We've seen the news reports about this," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told reporters.

"Let me just state what we have said before: that Israel has a right to defend itself," the spokesman said. "We also at the same time encourage Israel to ... consider the consequences of its actions."

Israel bombarded a military training camp in southern Gaza Strip on Thursday night, killing four Palestinians, including leader of the Popular Resistance Committees Jamal Abu Samhadana.

Abu Samhadana is also the General Inspector of the Hamas-led Ministry of Interior.

On a Palestinian referendum proposed by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas, McCormack said the United States supports Abbas' decision to set the referendum calling for a national unity government, an end to attacks on Israel and the creation of a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

"Certainly we do support those among the Palestinian people, among the Palestinian leadership, which doesn't include a Hamas- led government, ... that are advocates for a peaceful negotiated resolution to differences between Israelis and Palestinians, and who want to be partners for peace," the spokesman said.

Source: Xinhua