Israel's blockade of Gaza on Obama-Abbas agenda

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama and Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas (mahk-MOOD' ah-BAHS') are set to discuss Israel's blockade of Gaza and the humanitarian and economic hardship facing the people there.

Wednesday's meeting at the White House comes a little more than a week after Israeli commandos killed nine people during a raid on a flotilla of activists hoping to break the blockade. Israel says its military acted in self-defense, while activists say the deaths were unnecessary.

Turkey has led the world in condemning the raid and in calling for an international investigation.

Obama has not condemned Israel, a close U.S. ally. He expressed deep regret over the killings and said he wanted to learn all the facts leading up to the tragedy.