CRAWFORD, Texas (AP):

The Bush administration called yesterday for an end to the new flare up in Mideast violence, saying Hamas has "once again shown its true colours as a terrorist organisation" with attacks on Israel.

White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said the Hamas organisation had chosen not to renew a six-month cease-fire agreement arranged by Egypt.

At the same time, he said the United States has asked Israel to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza.

The spokesman declined to respond to questions about whether the US believes Israel is ready to launch a ground attack on Gaza, but said the ultimate goal of Israelis is "for their people to be able to live in peace."

Johndroe told reporters covering President George W. Bush in Texas that Bush had spoken early Monday with King Abdullah of Jordan, and had spoken on Saturday with King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia. He also said that Bush had a detailed briefing by video conferencing with vice-president Dick Cheney, White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and national security adviser Stephen Hadley.

'Vigorously engaged'

In Washington, the State Department echoed the White House and said the US was "vigorously engaged" in trying to restore the ceasefire and make it "durable and sustainable."

Spokesman Gordon Duguid said Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has called her Israeli counterpart, Tzipi Livni, five times since December 26, and said Rice also talked to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Defence Minister Ehud Barak and Lebanese Prime Minister Fuad Saniora.

She also called Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Aboul Gheit three times and Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal, Duguid said.