President George W Bush rebuked Israel last night during a wide-ranging press conference saying recent crackdowns on Palestinians were "not helpful" to forging peace.
While calling on both sides to take steps to calm the escalating violence, Mr Bush said civilian casualties, particularly among the Palestinian population in the last several days, were unacceptable and mentioned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon by name.
"I certainly hope that Prime Minister Sharon is concerned about the loss of innocent life," Mr Bush said. "I certainly am. It breaks my heart."
Meanwhile, Israeli pulled some 40 tanks out of the occupied West Bank town of Ramallah early today. Some 30 tanks left their positions and moved east of the self-rule town overnight, while earlier another 10 exited travelling toward the north, eyewitnesses said.
Some 60 tanks are still estimated to be inside Ramallah in the third day of Israel's largest military campaign in the region in 35 years.
The military reshuffling also anticipates the arrival of US envoy Mr Anthony Zinni who is due to arrive in the region later today.
Some analysts have linked Mr Bush's renewed push for peace in the Middle East to his desire to win over Arab leaders as he expands the war on terrorism with an eye on Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
"He is a problem, and we're going to deal with him. But the first stage is to consult with our allies and friends, and that's exactly what we're doing," the US President said amid worries that Washington may take unilateral action.
Asked whether the US war on terrorism could ever really be considered over until Osama bin Laden is captured or killed, Mr Bush down played the Saudi-born dissident's importance.
Some six months after famously declaring the suspected terrorist mastermind wanted "dead or alive," the US leader said: "Deep in my heart I know the man's on the run - if he's alive at all. But "focusing on one person really indicates to me people don't understand the scope of the mission," said Mr Bush.
He stressed: "I don't know where he is. I just don't spend that much time" pondering his fate.