Israel has sent its chief negotiator to Cairo again to discuss truce terms as pressure grows for an end to the conflict.

At the same time, Israel’s Foreign Minister, Tzipi Livni, is on her way to Washington which has offered to guarantee to meet the Jewish state’s demand that Hamas is unable to rearm through smuggling tunnels from Egypt. Meanwhile, Russia has asked Iran and Syria to help persuade Hamas to accept the Egyptian proposal on ending the fighting. Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, says Moscow has sent signals to all states which could have an influence on Hamas. The Egyptian peace plan includes securing the Egypt-Gaza border across which Israel claims weapons are smuggled and ending the Israeli blockade. It is believed one of the main stumbling blocks is whether the truce should be temporary or permanent.More about: Israel

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