Israel continues Gaza air raids as calls for ceasefire grow

Dozens of air strikes pounded Gaza on Tuesday as US President Joe Biden expressed support for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in a phone call with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

At least 217 Palestinians, including 63 children, have been killed in Gaza since the attacks began. About 1,500 Palestinians have been wounded. Twelve people in Israel have died, including two children, while at least 300 have been wounded.

Biden held his third phone conversation with Netanyahu since violence flared on May 10 and expressed support for a ceasefire. But the US president stopped short of demanding an end to the violence.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for the implementation of a ceasefire, following a video conference of EU foreign ministers, adding that the call was backed by all the bloc’s member states except Hungary.

Meanwhile, in the occupied West Bank, Israeli forces killed four Palestinian protesters during demonstrations.

Here are the latest updates:

No more COVID tests in Gaza: Health Ministry

Dr Ashraf al-Qidra, the health ministry spokesperson has said that the main laboratory which serves the enclave has ceased to operate and all COVID-19 tests have stopped as a result, journalist Sami Abu Salem has said.

“This constitutes a new danger besides the bombings and killings,” Abu Salem said, reporting from inside the health ministry’s compound which was severely damaged during Israeli bombing.

“Another thing he mentioned is that there is a shortage of disposables and medication inside Gaza and he urged international organisations to help Gaza’s population, especially in helping it meet its medical needs.

The municipality has also mentioned that there is a shortage of equipment in order to be able to repair the networks of electricity and water. There is a shortage of water because a desalination station by the sea has stopped working because of Israeli bombing.”

France pushes for UN Security Council resolution

France’s presidency has called for a resolution at the United Nations Security Council to stop the fighting.

“Overall, the 3 countries agreed on 3 simple elements: the shooting must stop, the time has come for a ceasefire, the UN Security Council must take up the subject and we have also called for a vote on a resolution on the subject,” the presidency said in a statement after talks between President Emmanuel Macron, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordan’s King Abdullah.

The statement added that the three countries had also agreed to launch a humanitarian initiative for the civilian population of Gaza in conjunction with the United Nations.