Israel rebuffed growing international pressure for a ceasefire and continued intense bombardment of the Gaza Strip on Sunday as the top U.S. diplomat scrambled to contain a crisis that threatened to cause further escalation in neighbouring Lebanon.

Gaza was under “unprecedented bombardment” from Israel on Sunday, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported, while Palestinian telecommunications company Paltel said that all communications and internet services had once again been cut.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas joined international calls for an immediate ceasefire at a meeting with U.S Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who was making an unannounced visit to the occupied West Bank.

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But after Blinken repeated U.S. concerns that a ceasefire could aid Hamas, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ruled that out unless hostages held by Hamas were released: “There will be no ceasefire without the return of the hostages. This should be completely removed from the lexicon.”

Continue here: Reuters