Washington, May 19

US President Joe Biden prodded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday to immediately de-escalate tensions in the Gaza conflict "on the path" to a ceasefire, a White House spokesperson said.

The fourth call in a week between the two leaders came after Netanyahu was quoted by Israeli media as saying he was not setting a timeframe for an end to more than a week of hostilities.

Biden has faced increasing pressure even from fellow Democrats to take a more active and public role to broker a ceasefire.

“The two leaders had a detailed 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 the United States,” White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters.

“The President conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire,” Jean-Pierre added.

The call took place shortly before Biden left Washington on a trip to a Coast Guard commencement ceremony in Connecticut. Palestinian medical officials said 219 persons had now been killed in 10 days of aerial bombardments. Israeli authorities put the death toll at 12 in Israel.

Nearly 450 buildings in Gaza have been destroyed and more than 52,000 Palestinians have been displaced, a UN humanitarian agency said. — Agencies

Hopeful of UN resolution: France

Paris: French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said on Wednesday he was hopeful a UN resolution calling for a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian would be passed at the Security Council and that discussions were being held to persuade Washington. Le Drian told a parliamentary committee there was a chance of success, but added: “It's not done yet.” Reuters

Children bearing the brunt of conflict

Gaza City: Children are being subjected to extensive trauma in Israel’s bombardment of the Gaza Strip. For some, it’s trauma they’ve seen repeatedly throughout their short lives. According to Gaza health officials, at least 63 children are among the 217 Palestinians who have been killed in Gaza since the latest conflict. “Parents in Gaza desperately try to calm their terrified children, as bombs rain down, telling the youngest ones it’s just fireworks or trying to put up a cheerful front. The violence will of course affect the psychology of these kids,” said Hozayfa Yazji, Norwegian Refugee Council area field manager. AP