This is just what Barack Obama needs two days from the inauguration. A Muslim who is speaking at the prayer service on Wednesday is the leader of a group that some federal prosecutors say has ties to Hamas:

Hamas says it will not accept Israeli conditions for a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip. At a special Arab League summit in Qatar Friday, exiled Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal told Arab leaders that Israel caused the conflict. He accused the Jewish state of waging war against all Palestinians, including women and children.

United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon will seek clarifications from Egyptian officials Wednesday about progress on an initiative proposed by Cairo to end the violence in the Gaza Strip.

It is hard to imagine how much worse the situation could get, but the confrontation in Gaza could see a dangerous escalation in the coming days as Iran threatens to break the Israeli blockade and deliver urgently needed medical supplies and other aid to the coastal strip.

Launching a much expected ground offensive in a widening war on Gaza's Hamas rulers, Israeli tanks and infantry entered Gaza after nightfall Saturday.

Foreign Minister of Israel Tzipi Livni left for Paris on Thursday morning for meetings with President Nicolas Sarkozy of France who plans to come next week to Israel.

Israel has rejected an immediate 48-hour cease-fire with Hamas, saying it will push ahead with its military assault on the Gaza Strip. Israeli officials say Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and his defense and foreign ministers made the decision after discussing the French-proposed truce during a meeting overnight.

Israeli public news agency REKA reports that Egypt presents ceasefire draft to Turkey for consideration by Hamas.

Defense Minister of Israel Ehud Barak declared that Israel was in an "all-out war against Hamas." Speaking in Monday morning's special Knesset session on the war, Barak said, "We have nothing against Gaza residents but we are engaged in an all-out war against Hamas and its proxies."

On Thursday Prime Minister Olmert issued a last minute appeal to Palestinians in Gaza to reject their Hamas rulers and stop rocket fire at Israel. He warned them Israel would not hesitate to use force.

Deputy Defense Minister Matan Vilnai says Israel hopes the Gaza Strip ceasefire can be extended, despite the recent outbreak of violence in the Hamas-ruled territory. Vilnai said it looks like things are calming down.

An uneasy six-month truce between Israel and Palestinian militant factions in Gaza Strip led by Hamas came into force on Thursday amid widespread scepticism over how long the deal brokered by Egypt would hold.