CAIRO (Reuters) -Israeli planes and tanks struck heavily in north and south Gaza on Tuesday, destroying clusters of homes, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confidant was in Washington, expected to discuss a possible ceasefire.

More than 40 people were killed in an Israeli airstrike on a cafe in Gaza, according to hospital officials. The cafe, located near the port in Gaza City, is popular with journalists and students. Israel’s military tells CNN it struck several Hamas operatives in the northern Gaza Strip on Monday and that the incident is under review.

Israeli forces killed at least 74 people in Gaza on Monday with airstrikes that left 30 dead at a seaside cafe and gunfire that left 23 dead as Palestinians tried to get desperately needed food aid, witnesses and health officials said.