US: President Bush declined yesterday to condemn the Israeli killing of civilians in the Gaza Strip, saying he wanted to "get clarification" from the Israeli government.
The US State Department said it was "deeply troubled" by the "tragic loss of life", and in Israel, US ambassador Daniel Kurtzer registered "deep concern" with the Israeli government.
In contrast to his coalition partner, British Prime Minister Tony Blair, and other world leaders who condemned Israeli's actions, Mr Bush said merely he continued to urge restraint.
"It is essential that people respect innocent life in order for us to achieve peace," Mr Bush said, answering questions more than five hours after the attacks. "I will continue to speak out about the need for all parties to respect innocent life in the Middle East."
On Tuesday Mr Bush softened his administration's criticism of Israel's tactics of destroying Palestinian homes in Gaza, which have drawn international condemnation, saying he understood the need of Israel to defend itself.
The US President was asked about the Gaza killings after a cabinet meeting which focused on the crisis in Iraq. He said he anticipated that "in the next couple of weeks" decisions would be made on the president, vice presidents, prime minister and other ministers in a caretaker Iraqi government to take office on July 1st.
The US was also moving forward on a new UN Security Council resolution "which will embrace the new interim government", he said.
Separately in Washington yesterday, Gen John Abizaid, commander of US Central Command, warned the Senate of worsening violence in Iraq, not just in the run-up to the June 30th handover but between then and elections next year.