US President Barack Obama says Israel has a right to defend itself from missiles being aimed at the country by militants in the Gaza Strip.

Speaking in Bangkok during a tour of Asia, he said that "no country on earth would tolerate missiles raining down" on its people.

He added that any effort to resolve the conflict in Gaza "starts with no missiles being fired into Israel's territory."

Obama's comments come as Israeli strikes hit two media headquarters in the Gaza Strip on Sunday as violence continues to escalate.