A spokeswoman for US Secretary of State John Kerry said a deadly Gaza school incident on Thursday in which at least 15 people seeking shelter were killed "underscores the need" for a ceasefire and resolution of the conflict.
"This ... underscores the need to end the violence and to achieve a sustainable ceasefire and enduring resolution of the crisis in Gaza as soon as possible," said Jen Psaki, a spokeswoman for Kerry, who is trying to secure a truce to curtail 17 days of fighting.