This blog has now closed. You can follow the Guardian’s continuing live coverage of the Israel-Hamas conflict here.

The US has advised Israel to hold off on a ground assault in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip and is keeping Qatar – a broker with the Palestinian militants – apprised of those talks, sources have told Reuters.

Echoing reports in other media including the New York Times, the newswire reported:

After Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October and killed some 1,400 people, the United States stood by its ally and stressed that Israel has the right to defend itself. It has also publicly stressed that Israel will decide its own timetable for retaliation.

But the White House, Pentagon and State Department have now stepped up private appeals for caution in conversations with the Israelis, two sources familiar with discussions said, as Israel’s blockade of Gaza worsens a humanitarian crisis and the death toll from its bombardment of the enclave passes 5,000.

More than 350,000 reservists have joined the forces massed in southern Israel and awaiting orders

• Israel and Hamas at war – live updates

The double line of Israeli tanks stretched to the horizon. About 100 were visible, low-slung hulks quickly taking on the colour of the pervasive desert dust. This was just a small part of Israel’s coiled military might ranged along the borders of Gaza, waiting for the order to move. Israel has about 2,200 tanks, a massive force, 10 times the British army’s tank fleet, and many of them are here, fuelled up and pointing west.

About 20 miles (30km) to the north, near the border town of Sderot, huge self-propelled guns have been dug into the earth, angled towards Beit Hanoun and Gaza City, which lie just over the crest of a hill. Lorries and tankers carrying fuel and water run in convoys along the Israeli roads that run north to south, parallel to the Gaza border, and reservists fill the streets, cafes and petrol stations of the border towns that absorbed the brunt of the 7 October Hamas attack that ignited the current war.

Red Cross confirms release of two more Hamas hostages; Biden official says ‘we should have those hostages released and then we can talk’

• Hamas and Israel at war: what we know on day 17

The leaders of the US, UK, France, Canada, Germany and Italy have called on Israel to adhere to international law and protect civilians, while also reiterating Israel’s right to defend itself against terrorism.

In a statement put out after a phone call, the leaders’ offices said:

The leaders reiterated their support for Israel and its right to defend itself against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including the protection of civilians.

They welcomed the release of two hostages and called for the immediate release of all remaining hostages. They committed to close coordination to support their nationals in the region, in particular those wishing to leave Gaza.

The leaders committed to continue close diplomatic coordination, including with key partners in the region, to prevent the conflict from spreading, preserve stability in the Middle East, and work toward a political solution and durable peace.