The US supports Israel’s right to defend itself following the release of the UN report which accused Israel of committing war crimes during last summer’s offensive on the Gaza Strip, the White House said on Tuesday.

While Israel has a “right to self-defense,” the US “expressed deep concern about the civilians in Gaza that were in harm’s way,” said White House spokesman Josh Earnest during a press briefing.

“We await further outcomes from the Israeli government on this particular matter,” he said, adding that the administration was still studying the report.