The U.S. Senate voiced on Thursday their support for Israel's fight against Hamas in Gaza, and urged for resumption of ceasefire in the warn-torn area.

The chamber passed a non-binding resolution by voice vote as a joint initial by Democratic and Republican lawmakers.

"When we pass this resolution, the United States Senate will strengthen our historic bond with the state of Israel, by reaffirming Israel's inalienable right to defend against attacks from Gaza, as well as our support for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, a Democrat.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, the Republican co- sponsor of the resolution, also said before the vote that Israel is responding to Hamas "exactly the same way we would".

The Senate called on President George W. Bush to "work actively to support a durable, enforceable and sustainable ceasefire in Gaza as soon as possible that prevents Hamas from retaining or rebuilding the capability to launch rockets or mortars against Israel."

The House of Representatives is expected to pass a similar resolution.

Official statistics showed that at least 763 Palestinians have been killed and more than 3,200 others wounded in Israel's military strikes targeted at Hamas in the Gaza Strip since December 27, 2008.

In the other hand, around 11 Israelis have been killed in the battles, eight of them soldiers, including four hit by "friendly fire".

(Xinhua News Agency January 9, 2009)