"We are in touch with the Israelis to tell them they have to examine their actions with great care to avoid this kind of loss of life, which does not further our efforts to find a peaceful solution," Powell said in an interview with international news agencies in Washington.

In what it called a new strategy to place the Islamic group Hamas on the defensive, the Israeli Army on Monday sent dozens of tanks backed by helicopter gunships into Khan Yunis, a town in Gaza Strip, killing at least 13 civilians.

Commenting on the raids, Powell suggested that the attacks had gone too far. "Sometimes the response is of such a significant level that the setback is even greater," he said.

White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said in a statement on Tuesday that President George W. Bush was also "deeply concerned" over reports of the Israeli attacks in Gaza which killed and wounded many Palestinian civilians.

"While the Administration supports Israel's right to self-defense, it is critical that Israeli forces make every effort to avoid harm to civilians in exercising that right," Fleischer said.

US officials have disclosed that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is expected to visit Washington next week and will meet Bush at the White House on Oct. 16.

(Xinhua News Agency October 9, 2002)