Israel carried out airstrikes overnight in the Gaza Strip, including one early Thursday the Israeli military said killed the head of Islamic Jihad’s rocket squad.
The strikes came amid a multiday burst of violence, with Israeli raids in the West Bank and cross-border rocket fire from Palestinian militants.
Officials from both sides said Egypt was working to broker a cease-fire.
The violence has left at least 26 Palestinians dead since Tuesday, including three senior Islamic Jihad commanders and 10 civilians.
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised address late Wednesday that no Israelis had been injured.
Netanyahu said his forces had dealt a harsh blow to the militants, but that Israel’s operation was not over.
“We say to the terrorists and those who send them, we see you everywhere,” Netanyahu said. “You can't hide, and we choose the place and time to strike you.”
In Washington, the White House said national security adviser Jake Sullivan discussed the conflict Wednesday with his Israeli counterpart, Tzachi Hanegbi, emphasizing “the need to deescalate tensions and prevent further loss of life.”
The statement said Sullivan reaffirmed U.S. support for Israel’s security and its right to defend itself from rocket attacks.
Some information in this report came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
