GAZA CITY - An Egyptian official said Tuesday that Israel has agreed to briefly delay expanding its military operations in the Gaza Strip to give Egypt time to try to persuade Palestinian militant factions to halt rocket fire on southern Israel. Israeli aircraft have targeted rocket squads in Gaza in recent days, but the Egyptian official says Israel has also planned a wider operation. The official says Egypt asked for 24 hours to try to bring all factions into an informal cease-fire and Israel agreed to give Cairo until around midnight Tuesday. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to discuss Egyptian mediation. The Israeli defense ministry had no immediate comment. But on Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned from the podium of the Israeli parliament that Israel would operate "vigorously and resolutely" against those who would threaten its security. "A security philosophy cannot rely on defense alone," Netanyahu said. "It must also include offensive capabilities, the very foundation of deterrence." At least 10 militants and an Israeli civilian have been killed in recent days in the worst violence in the area in months. The Islamic Jihad faction had led the attacks that began last week, but on Sunday agreed to stop the violence if Israel also did. Rocket fire that drew retaliatory Israeli airstrikes persisted afterward, but it was claimed by a different militant group. Gaza's Hamas leaders have not directly been involved in the attacks but Israel holds Hamas responsible for all violence from the territory.
