Netanyahu Cancels White House Meeting

President Barack Obama has agreed to reschedule a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in light of the deadly Israeli commando raid on ships bringing aid to the blockaded Gaza Strip.

The White House said Obama talked by telephone with Netanyahu on Monday and that the president "understood the prime minister's decision to return immediately to Israel to deal with today's events."

The statement issued by administration officials accompanying Obama on his visit to Illinois said the pair agreed to reschedule their meeting "at the first opportunity." It also said Obama expressed "deep regret" over the loss of life and cited "the importance of learning all the facts and circumstances" behind the incident. Nine pro-Palestinians were killed and dozens of people were injured.