GAZA CITY -- Israeli aircraft on Tuesday pounded the headquarters of the bank Hamas set up to evade international sanctions on its rule, as diplomats worked toward a ceasefire agreement. The strike on the Islamic National Bank was part of an escalating Israeli assault against Gaza militants meant to quell rocket attacks on Israeli cities.

Hamas leaders said during cease-fire talks that they would not end the rocket attacks unless Israel ended a blockade of Gaza borders that it maintains to keep weapons out of the hands of terrorists.

Read more at USA Today