美国国务卿克林顿前往中东争取化解以巴冲突

U.S. President Barack Obama is sending Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to Israel, Ramallah and Cairo to meet with regional leaders as the cross border conflict between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza enters its seventh day.

Clinton is leaving Tuesday to go to Jerusalem, where she will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. She will also meet with Palestinian leaders and Egyptian officials on the trip, which the White House says will focus on U.S interest in a peaceful outcome to the conflict.

Diplomacy has so-far failed to stop the cross-border attacks, with the latest U.N. Security Council meeting on the situation ending late Monday without reaching an agreement.

Meanwhile, smoke is rising from Gaza City Tuesday as Israel pushed ahead with its air campaign against Hamas militants, who have been firing rockets toward Israeli communities.

Officials say the death toll has risen to more than 100 Palestinians and three Israelis.

United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon called on Tuesday for an immediate cease-fire. He arrived in Cairo Monday to support mediation efforts.