Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi on Monday evening held a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, a day after the North African country successfully brokered a cease-fire between Israel and Palestinian militants.

President el-Sisi took the opportunity to reiterate calls for a peaceful solution to the situation in Gaza, which had left at least 44 people, including 15 children, dead in 56 hours of violence.

"It is critically important to build on the current calm and foil attempts that seek to increase tension in the West Bank and Gaza Strip," a statement by the Egyptian Presidency read in part.

The latest incident began when Israeli airstrikes hit a senior Islamic Jihad commander. Israel said its action was a pre-emptive strike against an attack planned by the Iranian-backed group.

Palestinian militants fired more than 1,000 rockets at Israel, sending residents of southern areas and major cities including Tel Aviv fleeing to shelters. Most of the rockets were intercepted by Israeli air defenses before they could cause harm.

The U.S., EU and other members of the international community have called for de-escalation of tensions.