Israel Weighs Truce Proposal

Israel and Hamas are considering a new truce proposal floated by Egypt and France, Reuters reports. Few details emerged, but the US supports the plan, as does Europe. The development comes on the deadliest day yet of the conflict, after an Israeli missile struck a UN school and killed at least 42. In the meantime, Israel has offered to halt shelling in certain areas for limited times so residents can receive supplies, the BBC notes.

The proposed truce would reportedly bring together Israel, Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority for negotiations. Condoleezza Rice backed it, but she said a permanent agreement must involve Hamas ceasing its rocket attacks on Israel. As peace hopes were raised, defense officials in Israel said they were prepared to expand their ground offensive, the Jerusalem Post notes. (More Gaza stories.)