Egyptian President Mahammed Morsi, who with the assistance of Qatar and Turkey has been trying to broker a cease-fire between Israel and the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, announced that a cease-fire will be agreed to sometime later today.

Although the Israeli militray carried out more than 100 strikes during the night in retaliation to more than 90 missiles fired from the Gaza side during the same period, there are reports that the strikes have tempered and slowed down to the lowest levels since the conflict began last Wednesday. It was last Wednesday that Israel targeted the leadership of the Hamas militant wing, killing him and others in their vehicle.

Since the conflict in the region began, over 110 Palestinians have been killed. Three have been killed on the Israeli side.

Israel, who has amassed a large force along the border with the Gaza Strip has announced that it has put its plans for a ground invasion on hold. But, at the same time Israel has dropped leaflets in a number of villages along the border telling them to evacuate their homes and move into the center of Gaza City.

United States Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has cut short her asian visit to go to the region today. She is expected in Cairo soon.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon met Arab League Chief Nabil al-Arabi in Cairo on Tuesday, before heading for talks in Israel. Arabi crossed over into Gaza along with 10 other Arab ministers in a show of solidarity.

“I’m here to appeal personally for an end to the violence and to offer my ongoing efforts to achieve a ceasefire,” Mr Ban told a joint news conference in Cairo.

Conditions have been presented on both sides. Israel has demanded no hostile fire of any kind from Gaza and that the re-arming of Hamas be halted through international efforts.

Hamas has demanded that Israel stop their assassination of Palestinian leaders and an end to the blockade on Gaza.

But, until an agreement can be hammered out, sirens continue to wail and rockets continue to fall in Israel, and airstrikes continue across the border in the Gaza Strip.