Israel-Gaza live: More than 52,000 Palestinians ‘displaced by airstrikes’ as Biden shows support for ceasefire

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken says he has not seen any evidence from Israel of Hamas having operated in a building housing media offices that was destroyed in airstrikes.

Speaking during a visit to Copenhagen, Denmark, on Monday, Mr Blinken said he was not aware of any evidence suggesting any Hamas ties to the building, according to The Associated Press.

The building had housed AP, Al-Jazeera and other media outlets.

The Independent’s Middle East correspondent Bel Trew will be hosting an “Ask Me Anything” (AMA) online event this evening, where she will be answering questions about the Israel-Gaza conflict live.

The AMA starts at 6pm UK-time, but you can start submitting your questions now.

Join the conversation here:

The European Union has said it will ramp up its efforts to end the violence between the Israeli military and Palestinian militants.

The bloc is expected to seek progress during a special meeting of its foreign ministers on Tuesday.

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German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday about the current escalation of violence in the Israel-Gaza conflict.

The chancellor expressed solidarity with Israel and the country’s right to self-defense, but expressed hope that the deadly fighting can come to an end, according to AP.

Ms Merkel’s office said she also stressed that her government would “continue to act decisively against protests in Germany at which hatred and antisemitism is spread”.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi have joined in stressing the “absolute need” to end hostilities between Israel and the Palestinians, the French presidency has said.

Both leaders expressed “strong concerns” during a working meeting in Paris on Monday, the presidency said.

The world leaders are condemned the death toll of the fighting, which has seen at least 200 Palestinians killed, including 58 children and 10 people in Israel, including two children.

The deadly surge in fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas has seen at least 200 Palestinians killed and 10 killed in Israel.

As the deadly fighting between the Israeli army and Hamas enters its second week, Joe Sommerlad explains the history of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and what prompted the recent surge of violence:

Dame Margaret Hodge has said "we have to be able to debate and disagree without Jew hate or Islamophobia taking over".

The Labour MP for Barking, who is Jewish, told the Commons: "This House is sending out a very strong message today denouncing this vile racism, but our message can't just be for today. Tragically, the Israeli/Palestinian conflict will not go away and we have to be able to debate and disagree without Jew hate or Islamophobia taking over.

"So my question to the Secretary of State is this - what action is he taking beyond today and beyond the brilliant work that the Holocaust Education Trust are doing with young people to inform and educate communities throughout Britain including the elected representatives, so that a discussion on an international conflict does not morph into a national expression of hate?

Responding, the communities secretary, Robert Jenrick, said: "She's right to say that this is sadly just one of a number of incidents, and incidents of this nature have flared up in the past when conflict in the Middle East has done as well."

He went on: "We need to ensure that we are rooting out anti-semitism, doing that through education working with all parts of society."

Good morning and thank you for following The Independent’s ongoing coverage of the latest developments in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The Israeli army unleashed a fresh wave of airstrikes on Gaza overnight in what it described as a renewed effort to destroy an underground “metro” system it says is being used by Hamas operatives.

In the latest round of strikes, the army said it unleashed at least 110 guided armaments, with fighter jets pounding Rimal in western Gaza City.

The Israeli army said the residences of five Hamas commanders were also struck in the assault.

It said some of the homes had been used as command and control centres.

The army further said that hit a Hamas anti-tank squad in Gaza City.

It accused Hamas of deliberately placing military targets in densely populated civilian areas in the Gaza Strip.

However, it said that while the army takes precautions to avoid harming civilians, it would continue operating with force “when necessary”.

At least 212 Palestinians have been killed in airstrikes so far, including 61 children, with more than 1,400 people wounded, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

Meanwhile, at least ten people have been killed in Israel, including two children, Israeli officials have said.

President Joe Biden expressed support for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas leaders in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, but stopped short of demanding an end to the violence himself.

In a readout of the call, the White House said the president “expressed his support for a ceasefire” and urged Israel to “make every effort to ensure the protection of innocent civilians”.

However, those statements only came after the White House said the president “reiterated his firm support for Israel’s right to defend itself against indiscriminate rocket attacks”.

The White House said the two world leaders “agreed that they and their teams would remain in close touch”.