Clinton will emphasize the need for a peaceful outcome that both protects Israel's security and leads to improved conditions for the civilians of Gaza, according to the statement.

Dispatching Clinton, the U.S. top diplomat, to the region highlights Obama's growing concern that the violence between Israel and the Palestinian militant groups may get out of hands.

The Obama administration has said it supports Israel's right for self-defense, but it has also voiced concerns that another ground war launched by Israel into Gaza, like the Operation Cast Lead at the end of 2008, will cause bloody casualties for both sides.

Violence continues in Gaza and Israel despite increasing regional efforts to broker a ceasefire deal that would prevent Israel from expanding its operations into a ground invasion.

Since the violence escalated last week, over a hundred Palestinians have been killed in Israeli airstrikes, while three Israelis were also killed in rocket firing from Gaza.

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