WASHINGTON, May 18 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States opposes Israel's destruction of homes of innocent Palestinians but Israel has the right to defend itself, White House spokesman Scott McClellan said at a regular news briefing on Tuesday.

    "Our policy is that we oppose the destruction of homes of innocent Palestinians. We have made that very clear. And that remains our position," McClellan said.

    "You heard the president speak earlier today, and he talked about how he found the violence in the Gaza area very troubling. There are Palestinians and Israelis that have died because of thisviolence," McClellan said.

    McClellan said the United States contacted the Israeli government and received assurances that Israel would exercise restraint.

    "The government of Israel has informed us that these operationsare aimed at stopping smuggling of arms through tunnels and at preventing the distribution of those arms -- not at destroying homes," McClellan said.

    McClellan also stressed Israel's right for self-defense. "We have always said that Israel has a right to defend itself," McClellan said.

    Earlier Tuesday, US President George W. Bush told members of the American Israel Public Affairs Committee that the renewed fighting in the Gaza Strip was "troubling" but stressed Israel "has every right to defend itself from terror."

    It is reported that at least 18 Palestinians were killed and more than 30 wounded on Tuesday as dozens of Israeli tanks and hundreds of troops swept through the heart of the Rafah Gaza refugee camp. Enditem