Kerry to travel to Egypt over Gaza situation

, July 21: US Secretary of State

will travel to Egypt on Monday to meet officials on the situation in

, the State Department said on Sunday.

Kerry is working to support Egypt's initiative to pursue a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas militants, Xinhua quoted State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki as saying in a statement.

The Gaza Strip witnessed the bloodiest day on Sunday since Israel launched its offensive there nearly two weeks ago, with the toll passing 100 in a single day after Israeli artillery bombing.

"The United States -- and our international partners -- are deeply concerned about the risk of further escalation, and the loss of more innocent life," Psaki said.

The US believes there should be a ceasefire as soon as possible -- one that restores the ceasefire reached in November of 2012, the spokeswoman added.

IANS