The deaths come as the last of the 35,000 additional troops ordered by President Obama arrive in the country to tackle the strengthening insurgency.
United States said it's seeking new ways to address the problems in the Gaza Strip which is under blockade by Israel. The comments came from the American Vice President Joe Biden after talks with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Sharm el-Sheikh. Yolande Knell has the details.
This 90-minute meeting took place at a time of
heighten
ed regional tension, following Israel's raid on aid ships
heading for
Gaza one week ago which killed nine activists. Although the action drew international criticism, Mr Biden had previously defended what he said was Israel's absolute right to deal with its security interest. In Sharm el-Sheikh, however, he stated that the US was looking for new ways to address the humanitarian, economic, security and political aspects of the situation in Gaza.
A spokesman for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon says no party has responded
officially
to his proposal for an investigation into the Gaza flotilla raid. He didn't confirm reports that the UN is proposing an inquiry with international elements, but said his office was exploring a number of options.
Unofficially, Israel has rejected the idea of an international inquiry while Turkey has warned Israelis that diplomatic relations cannot be
normalize
d until they agreed to such a move.