WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama called on Israel on Wednesday to work with all parties to find a solution for Gaza and said the United States is providing $400 million in new aid for the Palestinians.

In remarks made as he met Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Obama called on Israel to curb settlement activity and on the Palestinians to prevent any actions that could incite confrontation.

Abbas visited the White House amid an international backlash against Israel after its forces boarded a Turkish aid ship bound for the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip on May 31. Nine pro-Palestinian activists were killed.

Abbas, speaking after Obama, called on Israel to lift its “siege” on the Palestinian people.

Obama called the situation in Gaza unsustainable and said it was important to get all the facts out about the flotilla incident.

Obama said he would make a statement later in the day about the U.N. Security Council’s vote to approve new sanctions against Iran over its nuclear program.