The bloodshed came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting the White House for talks with President Trump about a ceasefire plan to pause the Gaza fighting.

Five Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack in northern Gaza, the Israeli military said Tuesday, while health officials said 18 Palestinians were killed in Israeli strikes. The attacks came as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House in talks with President Donald Trump about a potential ceasefire deal.

An Israeli security official said explosive devices were detonated against the soldiers during an operation in the Beit Hanoun area in northern Gaza, which was an early target of the war and an area where Israel has repeatedly fought regrouping Hamas terrorists.