As Palestinian groups fired rockets at Israeli cities and diplomatic attempts for a truce intensified, Israel resumed its bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday.

The Israeli military also said it shelled Lebanon in retaliation for six failed missile launches from the country's south.

In Washington DC, US President Joe Biden held his third phone conversation with Israeli caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and expressed his support for a ceasefire, but stopped short of demanding an end to violence that has killed more than 200 people.

The White House said Biden “encouraged Israel to make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians” and that the two leaders “discussed progress in Israel’s military operations against Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza”.

The latest escalation between Israel and Hamas, which governs Gaza, is now in its second week and shows no sign of abating.

At least 212 Palestinians, including 61 children, have been killed in Gaza since the violence erupted on May 10. Some 1,500 Palestinians have been wounded.



Israel has reported 10 dead, including two children.

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Aljazeera