Thread by @AFP

Israeli air strikes hammer the Gaza Strip pre-dawn Monday, after a week of violence between the Jewish state and Islamist militants left more than 200 people dead as international calls for de-escalation went unheeded u.afp.com/Uei2

#BREAKING Erdogan urges end to Israel's 'massacre' of Palestinians in call with pope

#UPDATE Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged Pope Francis to help end what he called Israel's "massacre" of Palestinians, which should be punished with sanctions, his office said

#BREAKING Blinken urges Israel and Palestinians to 'protect civilians' and children

#UPDATE US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Monday urged Israel and Palestinians to "protect civilians, especially children", reiterating that Israel "as a democracy has an extra burden" to do so

#BREAKING US asks Israel to provide 'justification' for strike on media building: Blinken

#UPDATE US Secretary of State Antony #Blinken says Washington has requested Israel provide "additional details regarding the justification" for an air strike Saturday on a building in Gaza housing Al Jazeera television and news agency The Associated Press u.afp.com/UeGs

#BREAKING Merkel voiced 'solidarity' with Israel in call with Netanyahu, spokesman says, urged swift end to worst Israeli-Palestinian violence in years given many civilian lives lost "on both sides"

#BREAKING US blocks third draft UN statement on Mideast violence: diplomats

#BREAKING Erdogan says Biden has "bloody hands" for supporting Israel