WASHINGTON - US President George W. Bush said Wednesday that he is "deeply saddened" by the killing of 18 Palestinian civilians during an Israeli raid in the Gaza Strip and called for a quick investigation.

Palestinians carry a boy wounded by Israeli artillery at Beit Hanoun town in the northern Gaza Strip, November 8, 2006. [AP]

"The United States is deeply saddened by the injuries and loss of life in Gaza today. We send our condolences to the families of all those affected," Bush said in a statement.

"We have seen the Israeli government's apology and understand an investigation has begun. We hope it will be completed quickly and that appropriate steps will be taken to avoid a repetition of this tragic incident," the statement said.

All parties should "act with care and restraint" in order to avoid civilian causalities, the statement added.

Israeli tanks attacked a residential neighborhood in Beit Hanoun in northern Gaza early Wednesday, killing at least 18 people, including eight children.

Israel has been a key US ally in the Middle East and the United States has repeatedly supported Israel's military action against the Palestinians as defending itself from "terrorist" attacks.