Israeli forces batter central, south Gaza with renewed truce bid at impasse

Israeli tanks and warplanes continue to bombard Gaza, killing 23 Palestinians as mediators from Qatar and the United States struggle to broker a ceasefire. Qatari and Egyptian mediators backed by the United States, have tried to halt hostilities, secure the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinians jailed in Israel, and get aid flowing into shattered Gaza to ease a humanitarian crisis.