Israeli warplanes and tanks carried out intense strikes across northern and southern Gaza on Tuesday, demolishing clusters of homes and forcing thousands more Palestinians to flee, even as diplomatic efforts for a ceasefire resumed in Washington.

CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli planes and tanks struck heavily in north and south Gaza on Tuesday, destroying clusters of homes, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confidant was in Washington,

The Israeli military said it struck militant targets in northern Gaza, including command and control centers, after taking steps to mitigate the risk of harming civilians.