JERUSALEM, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Sunday discussed over the phone efforts to release hostages in Hamas captivity and Israel's renewed assault on Gaza.
"The two discussed regional developments, including the release of Israeli hostages and the resumption of fighting in Gaza," said a statement from Netanyahu's office, adding that Rubio has expressed U.S. "unwavering support for Israel and its policies."
Israel has launched new air and ground assaults in Gaza since Tuesday, effectively ending a two-month ceasefire. The bombardments have killed at least 673 people and wounded 1,233 others, according to Gaza's health authorities.
Hamas accused Israel of shattering the ceasefire agreement, which was signed in January. In the meantime, Taher al-Nunu, a Hamas spokesperson, said on Friday that the group was assessing new proposals from mediators aimed at reviving the ceasefire, including a "bridging" proposal from U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff. ■
