Morning update: Day 165 of Israel's war on Gaza

Good morning Middle East Eye readers, 

It's 7:53 am (5:53 GMT) in Palestine and Israel. Here are the latest developments on day 165 of Israel's war on Gaza: 

• Israeli fighter jets pummelled homes in Rafah and central areas early on Tuesday, killing at least 20 Palestinians. Air strikes in Jabalia north of Gaza City also killed eight people. 

• The Syrian defence ministry said Israeli strikes targeted Damascus countryside, resulting in some "material damage".

• Biden said he asked Netanyahu to send a team to Washington to discuss ways "to target Hamas without a major ground operation in Rafah". 

• Meanwhile, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he will visit Saudi Arabia and Egypt this week as Washington pushes for a ceasefire.