US Middle East envoy George Mitchell has warned that the Israel’s attack on Freedom Flotilla should not hinder the prospect of peace talks.

"The tragedy… cannot be allowed to spiral out of control and undermine the limited but real progress that has been made," Mitchell said in the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Thursday.

Speaking at a conference on investment in the Palestinian territories, Mitchell stressed that after Flotilla tragedy the efforts on the progress of Middle East peace talks would become more critical.

"The United states deeply regrets the tragic loss of life and injuries suffered among those involved in the incident aboard the Gaza-bound ships," Mitchell stated, referring to the killing and injuring of tens of international activists in the Flotilla by Israel.

The statements come before Abbas’s visit to Washington on June 9. Earlier, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled his Tuesday visit to the US following the Flotilla tragedy, AFP reported.

The Gaza Freedom Flotilla, which was carrying food and medical supplies to Gaza, came under fire early Monday morning by Israeli navy forces in international waters more than 150km off the coast of Gaza.

Twenty international activists are reported to have been killed and 50 others injured in the incident.

The peace talks dubbed "proximity talks" between Israel and Palestine have been frozen after Israel announced its plans to continue building settlements in East al-Quds.

(Press TV)