The United States said tonight it was "very concerned" about casualties among Palestinian children and youths after Israeli troops killed 11 Palestinians during overnight raids in the Gaza Strip.
"We remain very concerned about civilian casualties. . . from the ongoing violence, especially among Palestinian children and young people," said State Department spokesman Mr Richard Boucher.
"These casualties continue to result from Israeli military actions in the West Bank and Gaza."
Medics and witnesses said Israeli troops backed by tanks and gunships killed 11 Palestinians and wounded 27 during overnight raids on militant strongholds in the Gaza Strip.
Separately, Israeli troops thrust into the West Bank city of Nablus, where witnesses said they killed two Palestinians.
At least 25 Palestinians have been killed since militants blew up a tank on Saturday, killing four Israeli soldiers.
"We've continued to urge the Israeli government to take appropriate precautions to prevent the death or injury of innocent civilians," Mr Boucher said, saying the United States had also called on Israel to allow humanitarian personnel to provide medical care to those in need as quickly as possible.