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,

President Trump raised expectations last week when he told reporters in the Oval Office that there could be a ceasefire agreement within the next week.

Buoyed by the truce with Iran, President Trump is pushing for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. But it could entail unacceptable conditions for the Palestinians.