U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to "consult on regional issues and efforts to achieve Middle East peace", said the White House.

Netanyahu expressed appreciation for U.S. support for Israel's security, in particular the Iron Dome short-range rocket and mortar defense system, according to a White Houses statement.

The two agreed to continue to work closely together to address common security concerns, the statement added.

Iron Dome, an Israel-made system built to intercept incoming rockets, shot down eight short-range rockets fired by militants into Israel during a major escalation of violence along the Israeli-Gaza border in April.