JERUSALEM, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the visiting U.S. envoys have provided "absolute support" for Israel's handling of the deadly clashes in Gaza.

The prime minister made the remarks in a statement following his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's senior advisor Jared Kushner, and the White House envoy to the Middle East, Jason Greenblatt in Jerusalem on Friday.

"I must say that there was absolute support for our positions and our actions to ensure the security of Israel and its citizens in the area adjacent to the Gaza Strip," Netanyahu said at his weekly cabinet meeting.

Netanyahu said they also discussed ways to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza without strengthening Hamas, the Islamist Palestinian movement that runs Gaza.

"These matters are clear, first of all how to ensure security and how to prevent a broader flare-up, if it is at all possible," Netanyahu said.

Gaza faces a crisis following a crippling blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt in 2007.

On March 30, Gazans held rallies near the fence between the enclave and Israel to protest the blockade. Israeli forces have reacted with live fire, killing at least 122 Palestinians.

The United Nations and international human rights groups have condemned Israel for the excessive use of force against mostly unarmed protestors.