Israel continues attacks on Gaza

Two more Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip taking the death toll from the offensive to 221, the Palestinian Health Ministry said May 19.

The fatalities include 63 children and 36 women.

Two more Palestinians were injured taking the total number of casualties to 1,507.

In the attacks, a building in Rafah, where a charity foundation was located, was targeted with missiles.

Israeli forces also targeted infrastructure and Palestinian land in the air strikes and attacked Khan Yunus from the sea.

A house was damaged in attacks carried out by Israeli forces in Beit Hanun.

Israeli warplanes bombed an empty field in the Al-Shati refugee camp in western Gaza and a position of resistance groups in the northern district of Cibaliya.

Biden tells Netanyahu he expects 'significant de-escalation today'    

U.S. President Joe Biden told Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he expects "significant de-escalation" on May 19 in the attacks, the White House said.  

"The president conveyed to the prime minister that he expected a significant de-escalation today on the path to a ceasefire," according to a statement released after what the White House said was the two leaders' fourth call since the crisis began.

Israeli attacks amount to 'war crimes': Amnesty

The "shocking disregard" Israeli forces display for Palestinian lives may amount to war crimes, said Amnesty International.

In a statement on Monday, the rights watchdog said a number of Israeli air strikes have targeted residential buildings and in some cases killed entire families.

It added that the attacks "may amount to war crimes or crimes against humanity."