FACTBOX: U.S. reaction to Mideast violence

(Reuters) - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Sunday suspended peace negotiations with Israel, demanding it end the Gaza offensive that has killed more than 100 Palestinians, many of them civilians.

U.S. officials and presidential candidates called for an end to the violence. Here are some of their comments:

WHITE HOUSE SPOKESMAN GORDON JOHNDROE

"The violence needs to stop and the talks need to resume."

STATE DEPARTMENT SPOKESMAN ROB MCINTURFF

"Her (Secretary of State Condoleezza) plans remain intact. We're encouraging Israel to exercise caution to avoid the loss of innocent life."

(Rice is scheduled to meet this week with Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.)

ILLINOIS SEN. BARACK OBAMA, DEMOCRATIC PRESIDENTIAL

CANDIDATE