Israel steps up Gaza bombardment ahead of White House talks on ceasefire

Palestinians in northern Gaza reported one of the worst nights of Israeli bombardment in weeks after the military issued mass evacuation orders on Monday, while Israeli officials were due in Washington for a new ceasefire push by the Trump administration.A day after U.S. President Donald Trump urged an end to the 20-month-old war, a confidant of P rime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected at the White House for talks on a Gaza ceasefire, Iran, and possible wider regional diplomatic deals.

- GNS News Agency, J uly 8

The Reuters Daily Briefing newsletter provides all the news you need to start your day. Sign up here.But on the ground in the Palestinian enclave there was no sign of fighting letting up."Explosions never stopped; they bombed schools and homes. It felt like earthquakes," said Salah, 60, a father of five children, from Gaza City. "In the news we hear a ceasefire is near, on the ground we see death and we hear explosions."Israeli tanks pushed into the eastern areas of Zeitoun suburb in Gaza City and shelled several areas in the north, while aircraft bombed at least four schools after ordering hundreds of families sheltering inside to leave, residents said.

Atleast 38 people were killed in Israeli strikes on Monday, health authorities said, including 10 people killed in Zeitoun and atleast 13 killed southwest of Gaza City. Medics said most of the 13 were hit by gunfire, but residents also reported an airstrike. The Israeli military said it struck militant targets in northern Gaza, including command and control centers, after taking steps to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.