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U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry rejected reports that a proposed seven-day cease-fire had been rebuffed by Israel's Security Cabinet.

Escalating its conflict with Hamas, Israel shelled the Gaza Strip on Thursday night, clearing the way for ground troops. Israel is targeting tunnels Hamas uses to attack its territory.

During day 15 of the current conflict, Secretary of State John Kerry was in Cairo pressing for a truce modeled after the 2012 cease-fire, while Israel continued its offensive.

Despite a demand from the United Nations Security Council for an immediate and unconditional cease-fire, fighting continued in Gaza, where the death toll has surpassed 1,000.

The pledge came as Israel continued its campaign of airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, and rockets fired by Hamas and other groups rained down on Israel. The airstrikes have killed at least 89 people.

International efforts are underway to broker a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas, even as Israel seems to take steps toward a ground invasion. NPR's Arun Rath speaks with Ari Shapiro in Jerusalem.

NPR's Kelly McEvers speaks with reporter Daniel Estrin, who is covering the conflict in Israel and Gaza from Tel Aviv.

Also: Eleanor & Park author Rainbow Rowell has a deal for two graphic novels; Susan Sontag's biographer on reading her emails; Gary Shteyngart on his reading habits.

The new Palestinian government includes Hamas, which the U.S. says is a terrorist organization. In spite of that, and Israel's objections, the U.S. says it will continue to fund the government.

Rachel Urquhart's debut novel, The Visionist, is based in real life: the Visionists were young Shaker girls who began to suffer mysterious fits one day in August 1837. Reviewer Jane Ciabattari says The Visionist is a "surprisingly dark tale," but lyrically written, and offering a fresh look at Shaker life.