Updated

Secretary of State John Kerry says there's, quote, "no promise" of a negotiated cease-fire between Israel and militants in the Gaza Strip.

Kerry told reporters Thursday in New Delhi that the U.S. remains hopeful that a cease-fire is achievable, and he said the sooner it happens, the better.

He urges both sides to begin, quote, "bona fide negotiations" to stop the bloodshed.

The violence is now in its fourth week and has killed over a thousand Palestinians living in Gaza and several dozen Israeli troops fighting there.