US supports Israel's right to defend itself, seeks to halt escalation

At least 24 Palestinians, including six children, have been killed in two days of firing, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The United States fully supported Israel's right to defend itself, the US State Department said on Saturday, and it urged all sides to avoid further escalation as Israeli air strikes pounded Gaza while the militant Islamic Jihad group fired rockets into Israel.

Rockets fired by Palestinian militants toward Israel, in Gaza City, Saturday,  (AP)

At least 24 Palestinians, including six children, have been killed and 203 wounded during the two days of firing, according to the Gaza health ministry.

Palestinian militants fired over 400 rockets at Israel - most of them intercepted, setting off air raid sirens and sending people running to bomb shelters. There were no reports of serious casualties, the Israeli ambulance service said.