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Egypt proposes Israel-Gaza ceasefire Egypt proposes Israel-Gaza ceasefire
(about 1 hour later)
Egypt has proposed a ceasefire to end a week of cross-border fire between the Gaza Strip and Israel.Egypt has proposed a ceasefire to end a week of cross-border fire between the Gaza Strip and Israel.
The initiative, announced by the foreign ministry, urges a ceasefire starting on Tuesday morning followed by a series of meetings in Cairo with high-level delegations from both sides. The initiative urges a ceasefire starting early on Tuesday followed by a series of meetings in Cairo with high-level delegations from both sides.
It comes ahead of an urgent meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo. However an official from Hamas, which controls Gaza, said a full deal would have to come first, before a ceasefire.
Hamas, the faction that controls Gaza, confirmed that truce efforts were under way but said no deal had yet been done. Israeli officials said PM Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet would discuss the proposal early on Tuesday.
Israeli officials said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's security cabinet would convene on Tuesday to discuss the proposal.
A senior Israeli official told the BBC that Hamas was "much weaker" after air strikes destroyed many of its rockets and manufacturing facilities.A senior Israeli official told the BBC that Hamas was "much weaker" after air strikes destroyed many of its rockets and manufacturing facilities.
The ceasefire calls comes ahead of an urgent meeting of Arab League foreign ministers in Cairo.
Hamas, the faction that controls Gaza, confirmed that truce efforts were under way.
But a Hamas official told the AFP news agency that a political agreement must be reached before a ceasefire could take effect.
"A ceasefire without reaching an agreement is rejected. In times of war, you don't cease fire and then negotiate," said spokesperson Fawzi Barhum.
Palestinian officials say at least 175 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli air strikes since the offensive began last Tuesday.Palestinian officials say at least 175 people in Gaza have been killed by Israeli air strikes since the offensive began last Tuesday.
Israel says nearly 1,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza in that time.Israel says nearly 1,000 rockets have been fired from Gaza in that time.
Thousands of people have fled their homes in northern Gaza after an Israeli warning and Israel has also massed thousands of troops on the border, amid speculation of a possible ground invasion.Thousands of people have fled their homes in northern Gaza after an Israeli warning and Israel has also massed thousands of troops on the border, amid speculation of a possible ground invasion.
Cairo focus
Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said in a speech broadcast on al-Jazeera that Hamas was not only seeking an end to the fighting but also an easing of the Israeli blockade that has crippled life in Gaza.Ismail Haniyeh, a Hamas leader in Gaza, said in a speech broadcast on al-Jazeera that Hamas was not only seeking an end to the fighting but also an easing of the Israeli blockade that has crippled life in Gaza.
"The problem is the reality of Gaza, the siege, the starving, the bombing. The siege must stop and people in Gaza need to live in dignity," he said."The problem is the reality of Gaza, the siege, the starving, the bombing. The siege must stop and people in Gaza need to live in dignity," he said.
Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza when Hamas - which is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US and other countries - took over in 2007.Israel imposed a blockade on Gaza when Hamas - which is designated a terrorist group by Israel, the US and other countries - took over in 2007.
Israel is demanding an end to rocket attacks on its towns and cities from Gaza.Israel is demanding an end to rocket attacks on its towns and cities from Gaza.
Egyptian state media has reported that US Secretary of State John Kerry will be in Cairo on Tuesday to try to help broker a truce, but the US has not confirmed this.Egyptian state media has reported that US Secretary of State John Kerry will be in Cairo on Tuesday to try to help broker a truce, but the US has not confirmed this.
Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair welcomed the Egyptian proposal and praised the "leadership Egypt has shown in doing so".Middle East peace envoy Tony Blair welcomed the Egyptian proposal and praised the "leadership Egypt has shown in doing so".
"Such a ceasefire can halt the tragic loss of life, stop the rockets on Israel - and open up the possibility of a genuine change in Gaza," he said."Such a ceasefire can halt the tragic loss of life, stop the rockets on Israel - and open up the possibility of a genuine change in Gaza," he said.
The BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo says Egypt has been accused of failing to play its usual role of mediator between Israel and Hamas.The BBC's Orla Guerin in Cairo says Egypt has been accused of failing to play its usual role of mediator between Israel and Hamas.
After a week of bloodshed, it has now at least produced a blueprint for a deal, she adds.After a week of bloodshed, it has now at least produced a blueprint for a deal, she adds.
In 2012 Egypt's then-President Mohammed Morsi brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, using the influence his Muslim Brotherhood held with the Palestinian group.In 2012 Egypt's then-President Mohammed Morsi brokered a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel, using the influence his Muslim Brotherhood held with the Palestinian group.
The current outbreak of violence followed the killing of three Israeli teenagers in June and the suspected revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem.The current outbreak of violence followed the killing of three Israeli teenagers in June and the suspected revenge killing of a Palestinian teenager in Jerusalem.
Israeli officials said on Monday that three arrested Israeli Jews had confessed to the murder of the Palestinian, Mohammed Abu Khdair.Israeli officials said on Monday that three arrested Israeli Jews had confessed to the murder of the Palestinian, Mohammed Abu Khdair.
The three, whose names have not been released, have been remanded in custody.The three, whose names have not been released, have been remanded in custody.
The UN estimates that 77% of those killed in Gaza have been civilians.The UN estimates that 77% of those killed in Gaza have been civilians.
However Israel disputes the figures, saying they are based on Hamas sources and are not objective.However Israel disputes the figures, saying they are based on Hamas sources and are not objective.
A military spokesman told the BBC that Israel had aborted some attacks for fear of killing civilians.A military spokesman told the BBC that Israel had aborted some attacks for fear of killing civilians.
Israel says it is targeting Hamas militants and "terror sites", including the homes of senior operatives.Israel says it is targeting Hamas militants and "terror sites", including the homes of senior operatives.
In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said: "We do not wish to harm civilians in Gaza, but these civilians must know that remaining in close proximity to Hamas terrorists and infrastructures is extremely unsafe."In a statement, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said: "We do not wish to harm civilians in Gaza, but these civilians must know that remaining in close proximity to Hamas terrorists and infrastructures is extremely unsafe."
Are you in Israel or Gaza? What are your hopes for a ceasefire? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Israel Gaza'.Are you in Israel or Gaza? What are your hopes for a ceasefire? You can email your experiences to haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk, using the subject line 'Israel Gaza'.