The United States has fully supported Israel's right to defend itself, the State Department says, and it urged all sides to avoid further escalation as Israeli air strikes pounded Gaza while the militant Islamic Jihad group fired rockets into Israel.
At least 24 Palestinians, including six children, have been killed and 203 wounded during the two days of firing, according to the Gaza health ministry.
The State Department also said on Saturday it was concerned by reports of civilian deaths and called for "a timely and thorough" probe into those casualties. It did not elaborate.
Palestinian militants fired over 400 rockets at Israel - most of them intercepted, setting off air raid sirens and sending people running to bomb shelters. There were no reports of serious casualties, the Israeli ambulance service said.
A State Department spokesman told Reuters the United States was in touch with Israeli officials and others in the region to prevent further escalation.
Australian Associated Press
