Gaza ceasefire decision imminent, says UN chief

The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he expected Israel to make an important decision today on whether to cease fire in the Gaza Strip.

"I understand today the Israeli government will make an important decision on a ceasefire. I hope that decision will be the right one," said Ban, who has called for an immediate end to Israel's offensive in the Palestinian enclave.

An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israeli leaders would decide on their next move following a briefing later on Thursday by their envoy who met Egyptian mediators in Cairo earlier in the day.