US defence secretary in Israel ‘to press for a more targeted approach in Gaza’

Smoke rises following an Israeli bombardment in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, on Saturday (Ariel Schalit/AP)

US defence secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to press Israel to wind down major combat operations in Gaza during a visit.

It would be the latest test of whether the US can leverage its unwavering support for the offensive to blunt its devastating impact on Palestinian civilians.