Biden urges 'de-escalation', Netanyahu says will press on with Gaza attacks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to press ahead with a fierce military offensive in the Gaza Strip, after US President Joe Biden called on him to 'de-escalate' the violence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would press on with operations against Gaza's ruling Hamas group after US President Joe Biden urged him to seek a "de-escalation" on Wednesday in violence that has lasted 10 days and get on the path to a ceasefire. An Egyptian security source said the two sides had agreed in principle to a ceasefire after help from mediators, although details were still being negotiated in secret amid public denials of a deal to prevent it from collapsing. Palestinian medical officials said that since fighting began on May 10, 227 people had been killed in aerial bombardments that have destroyed roads, buildings and other infrastructure, and worsened the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.