Biden Expects 'Significant De-Escalation' Today On Path To Israel-Hamas Cease-Fire

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Israeli artillery fires toward the Gaza Strip from a position at the Israeli-Gaza border near Sderot on Wednesday. / dpa/picture alliance via Getty Images

Updated May 19, 2021 at 10:51 AM ET

As the conflict between Israel and Hamas entered its 10th day, President Biden pressed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu on Wednesday to de-escalate Israeli military action in a push to end the hostilities, the White House said.

"The President conveyed to the Prime Minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire," it said in a statement.

The White House said Biden and Netanyahu "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."

There's been no letup in fighting, despite growing international calls for a cease-fire.

In one attack overnight, more than 50 Israeli warplanes pounded the southern part of the Gaza Strip, according to the Israeli military. The target was a vast network of tunnels, which Israel says is used by Hamas to shuttle weapons and people.

Israel says more than 50 cross-border rocket attacks launched from Gaza set off sirens in some southern Israeli communities and killed two workers from Thailand. The Israeli military says more than 3,450 rockets have been launched from Gaza since the fighting began, more than in any previous conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Israeli authorities say 12 people have been killed in Israel, including two children. Health officials in Gaza say 219 people there have been killed in the latest conflict, including 63 children, 36 women and 16 elderly Gazans.

Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts to end the conflict are picking up.

Egypt and the United Nations are trying to mediate a cease-fire. On Tuesday, France called for a U.N. Security Council resolution on the fighting.

Biden has been under pressure from his Democratic party's left over Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip. According to the U.N. aid agency, more than 58,000 Palestinians have been displaced during the recent hostilities, many of them taking refuge in schools.

Earlier Tuesday, Israeli military spokesman Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus indicated that the battle will continue. Speaking with reporters, he said the campaign to destroy the Hamas tunnel network "will be expanded" in the coming days. Conricus called the tunnels "the backbone" of Hamas operations.

But the tunnels run under heavily populated areas and civilians are often caught up in the attacks. The foundations of buildings above the tunnels can collapse, killing people inside. Conricus said the Israeli military is trying to minimize the number of unintended casualties.

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