Muslim Brotherhood Deputy Chairman Mohamed Habib slammed the deadly attacks on Gaza that were launched by Israeli occupation on Saturday leaving dozens dead and wounded.

The airforce has launched a wide air attack on Hamas installations in the Gaza Strip. Both F-16 fighter planes and helicopters were involved.

Palestinian medical officials say Israeli airstrikes on Hamas compounds in the Gaza Strip have killed at least 155 people.

Jerusalem's Latin Patriarch confirmed that Pope Benedict 16th will visit Israel in May on his first trip to the region as pontiff.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair hastily cancelled a planned visit to Gaza after extremists linked to al-Qaeda plotted to "kidnap and slaughter" him.

Palestinian and Egyptian officials say Israel and the Islamic militant group Hamas have reached a cease-fire agreement that will go into effect in Gaza on Thursday. Israel would not confirm the deal, but said a negotiator was rushing to Cairo to finalize details. Robert Berger at the VOA bureau in Jerusalem.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh says the militant group and Israel may be close to signing a truce in the Gaza Strip.

The United States' top diplomat has arrived in the Middle East to try to give a boost to the peace process. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is pushing for a peace agreement before President Bush leaves office in January.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Sunday that Israel cabinet was "very close" to deciding on how to respond to continued rocket attacks from the Hamas-run Gaza Strip.

Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni indicated Sunday Israel may uproot some of its West Bank settlements as part of a peace accord with the Palestinians. Livni spoke at the start of a meeting Sunday with visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. VOA's David Gollust reports from Jerusalem.

Russia's foreign minister said a Moscow-hosted peace conference on the Middle East will be held in June or July, depending on the schedules of the countries taking part.

Jimmy Carter tells the Israeli Council on Foreign Relations that Hamas leaders have told him that they would accept a peace deal with Israel negotiated with Palestinian authority. Also Hamas lets Shalit, the captured Israeli soldier in Hamas custody, to send another letter home, saying that he is in good health.