White House's Sullivan emphasizes de-escalation in call with Israeli official

White House national security advisor Jake Sullivan emphasized the need to deescalate tensions during a call with the head of Israel's National Security Council, Tzachi Hanegbi, the White House said on Wednesday, amid Israel hitting targets in Gaza and militants firing at Tel Aviv.

Israel hit Islamic Jihad targets in Gaza for a second day on Wednesday and Palestinian militants launched hundreds of rockets across the border, setting off sirens as far away as Tel Aviv, while Egypt began efforts to mediate an end to the fighting.