Truce bid hits stumbling block as Israeli air strikes bury families in Gaza rubble

The overall Palestinian death toll passed 560 as high-level attempts to end Israel-Hamas fighting hit serious problems.

As the United Nations and US secretary of state John Kerry stepped up diplomatic efforts, Gaza’s Hamas rulers signalled they will not agree to an unconditional ceasefire, and Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will do whatever is necessary to keep Israelis safe from Hamas attacks.