Earlier on Thursday, Israel and Gaza’s Hamas militants pursued further cross-border attacks after US president Joe Biden called for ‘significant de-escalation’. Munia Iffat reports.

• US President Joe Biden has called for a "significant de-escalation" in Israel's conflict with Gaza's armed group Hamas over a phone call.
• The White House said that during a call on Wednesday, “the two leaders had an in-depth discussion on the state of events in Gaza, Israel’s progress in degrading the capabilities of Hamas and other terrorist elements, and ongoing diplomatic efforts by regional governments and therefore the United States”.
• “The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation on the trail to a ceasefire,” it added.
• But in another statement issued after the White House shared the decision, Netanyahu urged he was “determined to continue this operation until its objective is achieved: to revive quiet and security to you, citizens of Israel”.
• According to an army statement, Israeli fighter jets hit the residences of at least six Hamas leaders, which they said "military infrastructure" was stored at each site.
• As air attack sirens sounded again early Thursday in southern Israel, the second most powerful group in Gaza, Islamic Jihad, claimed credit for a fresh volley of rockets.

Last 10 days, Israeli strikes have killed 227 Palestinians, consistent with the Gaza health ministry. According to Israeli police, Palestinian rocket fire has claimed 12 lives in Israel.