"The images that came out overnight are harrowing," Blinken said. "I have asked Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Hady Amr to go to the region immediately to meet with Israelis and Palestinians … he will urge, on my behalf and on behalf of President (Joe) Biden, a de-escalation of violence."

Israel said it killed 16 members of the Hamas military wing in an air strike on Gaza on Wednesday and Palestinian militants rained rockets into Israel as global concern mounted over their most intense hostilities in years.

Blinken said both sides must reduce violence.