Temporary Israel, Palestine ceasefire?
Published:Wednesday | December 31, 2008 | 9:54 AM
A concerted diplomatic drive is under way to try to end to Israeli air strikes on the Gaza Strip and Palestinian militant rocket attacks.
Both the Quartet of Middle East peace-brokers and EU foreign ministers called for an immediate ceasefire after urgent talks yesterday.
The Arab League is due to meet in Cairo later to discuss the crisis.
A possible 48-hour ceasefire plan was raised during a four-hour Israeli leadership meeting late yesterday.
Reports of that meeting - attended by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his defence and foreign ministers - suggested any pause in fighting would be accompanied by a threat to send in ground troops if rocket fire into Israel continued.
French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner had proposed the 48-hour truce to allow aid in to Gaza.