United States President-elect Barack Obama has expressed deep concern about civilian deaths in Gaza.
Breaking his silence on Tuesday about the fighting in Gaza, he vowed to push for Middle East peace when he takes power.
Mr Obama said he would have plenty more to say after his inauguration on 20 January. Until then, he said, his job is to monitor the situation, and his aides were keeping him up to date on developments.
He has been criticised for being too quiet about a top foreign policy challenge.
