Israeli cabinet debates Egypt proposal on Gaza truce: Radio

JERUSALEM (AFP) - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was in talks with top ministers on Monday, a government source said, in what was understood to be discussions on how to proceed with the ongoing Gaza operation.

Ministers in Mr Netanyahu's inner circle - the Forum of Nine - were reportedly in talks over whether to agree to a ceasefire or expand the air and naval campaign into a ground operation.

Israeli public radio said the meeting would touch on an Egyptian ceasefire proposal that emerged following a full day of indirect negotiations in Cairo on Sunday between Israeli officials and Palestinian representatives.

The report said Israel wanted to see a 24- to 48-hour truce take effect that could then be used to negotiate the finer details of a full ceasefire agreement.