Dozens of Israeli air raids pummel Gaza Strip

The Israeli military launched another series of air raids on the Gaza Strip early on Monday, hours after Israel's caretaker Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks on the Palestinian enclave would rage on, reports Al Jazeera.

Explosions rocked Gaza City from north to south in a bombardment that was heavier, wider and lasted longer than the air raids that killed at least 42 Palestinians and wounded dozens more on Sunday. One Palestinian was reported injured.

At least 198 people, including 58 children, have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the latest violence began a week ago. More than 1,300 Palestinians were also wounded, reports Al Jazeera.

Blinken urges all parties to ensure the protection of civilians

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the US remains greatly concerned over the escalating violence and is working "extensively" behind the scene to bring hostilities to an end.

The US diplomat was speaking at a news conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, urged all parties to ensure the protection of civilians and repeated that Israel has an extra burden to do everything in order to avoid civilian casualties.

Blinken also said that he has not seen any Israeli evidence of Hamas operating in the Gaza building that housed residences, offices and media organisations – including Al Jazeera – that Israel hit on Saturday. Blinken says he has asked Israel for justification for the strike.