In the Middle East, Israel is continuing attacks on the Gaza Strip, despite promising to hold back while Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice visits the region. On Tuesday, a Palestinian baby girl less than one month old was killed when Israeli troops traded fire with Hamas fighters in southern Gaza. The past week has seen the deadliest Israeli assault on Gaza in years. The ratio of Palestinian to Israeli deaths has reached forty-to-one. 120 Palestinians have been killed, around half of them civilian. Palestinians have killed three Israelis — one civilian and two soldiers. On Tuesday, Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice voiced support for Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Condoleezza Rice: “Israelis have a right to defend themselves. I have also said to the Israelis that it is extremely important that they remember that there has to be a day after, a partner to work with, and that innocent people who have the bad fortune to have to live under Hamas control should not be subject to injury and death. There should really be a very strong effort to spare innocent life.”

After meeting Rice on Tuesday, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas refused to commit to renewing negotiations with Israel. Abbas cited the latest Gaza assault and continuing Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank.