By Xinhua,
Jerusalem : A senior Israeli defence official will visit Egypt Wednesday for talks over a possible ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a media report said.
Amos Gilad, head of the Diplomatic Security Bureau of Israel’s defence ministry, is scheduled to meet Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman for facilitating a talk with Hamas, Ynet news service reported.
Israel said ceasefire is only possible when Hamas stops rocket attacks and smuggling of arms into the salient. Hamas-led Islamist groups have demanded the lifting of Gaza blockade by Israel.
Israel’s Defence Minister Ehud Barak earlier said that his country would continue its operation against the Gaza militants.
Both sides defied last week’s UN Security Council resolution calling for an immediate ceasefire.
More than 950 people have been killed since the fighting started in Gaza Dec 27. Thirteen Israeli citizens were also killed in the conflict.