Efforts to secure Gaza ceasefire intensify

Top Israeli diplomats were heading for Egypt and the United States today in what appeared to be a final push toward a ceasefire to end Israel’s punishing Gaza offensive against Hamas militants.

Top Israeli diplomats were heading for Egypt and the United States today in what appeared to be a final push toward a ceasefire to end Israel’s Gaza offensive against Hamas militants.

Before dawn today, Israeli aircraft struck about 40 targets all over Gaza, according to military officials speaking on condition of anonymity because no announcement had been made.

They said targets included smuggling tunnels along the Egyptian border, a rocket launcher ready for firing, launching sites and weapons caches.

After midnight, Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni left for Washington, where she was expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with the US.

In parallel, chief Israeli negotiator Amos Gilad was flying to Cairo for the second day in a row to seek clarifications and express Israeli views about the latest Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire.

Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert summoned top Cabinet ministers and military commanders for consultations after Mr Gilad’s return from Egypt late Thursday.

One option was to convene the Security Cabinet, made up of senior ministers, for a special session today to decide whether to accept the Egyptian proposal or, conversely, to order a stepped-up Israeli offensive that could include thrusts deep into Gaza cities.

Instead, they decided to send Mr Gilad back to Cairo, postponing a decision about the truce at least until Sunday.