Israel today vowed to bring ‚total, long-term quiet‘ to the Gaza Strip amid growing international alarm at the increasing civilian death toll from retaliatory air strikes targeting Hamas militants.

‚The army will continue to attack to bring a total, long-term quiet. Only when we reach that goal will we be able to speak about a truce,‘ Defence Minister Benny Gantz said as the Palestinian death toll rose to 43, including 13 children. At least 230 Palestinians have been wounded.