Hamas said any deal must include an opening of Gaza´s borders. But the proposal still could mark the first sign of a possible break in 12 days of deadly fighting. [break]
French President Nicolas Sarkozy said in Paris that both Israel and the moderate Palestinian leadership in charge of the West Bank had accepted the truce proposal, but Israeli officials did not confirm that.
In Turkey, meanwhile, a diplomat said that country will be given the task of constructing an international force for Gaza.
Both Israel and Hamas appeared to seek guarantees about the details of a cease-fire, before agreeing to halt the fighting.
Israel said it would support the proposal only if it halts "hostile fire" from Hamas in Gaza and includes measures to prevent the militant group from rearming, said government spokesman Mark Regev.
Hamas said Israel does not seem to be serious about reaching a cease-fire. "Israel is still widening and escalating its aggression and is not giving any positive signals in response to these efforts," Ghazi Hammad said.
The precise details of the Egyptian-French proposal remain unclear, but it comes as international outrage grows over civilian deaths in Gaza.
About 300 of the more than 670 Palestinians killed so far were civilians, according to Palestinian and U.N. figures. Of those killed, at least 130 are children 16 and younger, says the Gaza-based Palestinian Center for Human Rights, which tracks casualties.
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