The United States and Russia have been among several nations pushing for a pause in fighting or a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to allow humanitarian aid into the besieged Gaza Strip as Israel maintained its bombardment of the enclave.

According to Reuters, eight trucks with water, food and medicine entered Gaza from Egypt late on Tuesday.

US President Joe Biden and Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman spoke by phone on Tuesday and agreed on broader diplomacy “to maintain stability across the region and prevent the conflict from expanding,” the White House said.

The US has advised Israel to hold off on a planned ground assault as Washington tries to free more of the 200-plus hostages Hamas is still holding captive in Gaza.

However, when asked if he was urging Israel to delay its ground invasion, US President Joe Biden told reporters: “The Israelis are making their own decisions.”