Israeli envoy in Egypt for cease-fire talks

Israeli workers inspect the damage to a house that was hit by a rocket fired by Palestinian militants from the Gaza Strip on November 18, 2012 in Ashkelon, Israel. / Lior Mizrahi/Getty Images

CAIRO Egyptian security officials say a senior Israeli official has arrived in Cairo for talks on reaching a cease-fire to end an Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.

The officials said the official arrived at Cairo's airport and was immediately rushed away from the tarmac into talks.

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity under security guidelines, did not identify the Israeli.

Israeli officials declined comment.

Egypt has been leading international efforts to broker a truce to end five days of fighting between Israel and Hamas militants in Gaza.

Nabil Shaath, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas who was in Cairo, confirmed the Israeli's arrival.

He says there are "serious attempts to reach a cease-fire."

Shaath was headed to Gaza later Sunday to work on cease-fire efforts.

A Palestinian man covers a pool of blood at the site of a airstrike that killed two people in the Shati refugee camp in Gaza City, November 18, 2012.

/ MARCO LONGARI/AFP/Getty Images

Meanwhile on Sunday, Israeli strikes hit two media centers in the Gaza Strip, as Israel warned it was widening its range of targets to go after military commanders of the territory's Hamas rulers.

Palestinian militants fired at least one more long-range rocket at Tel Aviv, the fourth day in a row which the Israeli heartland has come under fire.

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Widening air war over Gaza

The fifth day of Israel's campaign against Gaza rocket operations finds it at a crossroads of whether to launch a ground invasion or pursue Egyptian-led truce efforts. Israel has said it is not prepared to enter into a truce without guarantees the rocket fire won't resume.

"The Israeli military is prepared to significantly expand the operation," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared at the start of the weekly Cabinet meeting.

Early Sunday, the military carried out dozens of attacks on rocket-launching sites, a major training base and the two media centers. Israeli gunboats also fired on militant sites on the Gaza shore line, the military said without elaborating.

Seven Palestinian civilians were killed in airstrikes Sunday, including five children ranging in age from one to 11, according to Ashraf al-Kidra, a Gaza health official.

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[mcrich3]

The terrorists attack Israel. Israel responds with force. The terrorists want a truce in an effort to restock their weapons. No truce - a surrender is the only choice. Surrender is the only option for peace.

[xila654]

The whole world is screwed up, time for a clean slate

[knowa2]

Please sign the White House petition to let Marc Emery complete his sentence in Canada
http://wh.gov/XXp9

[GIVEMEFREEDOM1]

Where are all the photos showing the blood and destruction in Israel from the hundreds of rockets launched by Hamas

[roncee1]

What the hell does Emery's being in prison have to do the with Israeli/Hamas conflict?

[lapazjim]

I can say that we should be glad that Egypt is attempting to get a truce from two areas ready to go to war.Israel would most likely abide by such a truce.But will Hamas??Most doubtful!!Remember the Muslim goal is to destroy Israel and thus will never cease.If this truce being brought by Egypt is not taken or falls apart then Israel needs to make a very large decisive action to show its stand.Either way you look at this the U.S.will be getting involved in it!!As long as Obama does not turn his back on Israel yet again!!!!