A decision on whether to launch a ground invasion of Gaza was put off by at least a day, after Israel decided Monday to give the Egyptians more time to try to broker a cease-fire with Hamas, a senior Israeli official said.

The head of Hamas' political bureau and Islamic Jihad secretary-general met with Egyptian intelligence chief Gen. Raafat Shehata again on Tuesday, in an attempt to finalize details of a cease-fire agreement. Hamas officials said late Tuesday that a cease-fire would go into effect by midnight, but both Egypt and Israel downplayed those reports, saying no agreement had yet been reached.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon arrived in Israel on Tuesday afternoon and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was expecyed later in the day. Both officials will meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday.

More than 140 rockets were fired from the Gaza Strip toward southern Israel on Tuesday. The Palestinians reported that five people were killed in the Strip on Tuesday morning, and put the total death toll in Gaza at 130, including 31 children. Five Israelis have been killed since the conflict began.

LIVE BLOG

11:42 P.M. UN Security Council to meet for consultations on the Middle East at 6 P.M. EST (Natasha Mozgovaya)

11:40 P.M. Gaza militants launch four rockets at Eshkol Regional Council, another rocket at Ofakim; none wounded, no damage reported (Yanir Yagna)

11:12 P.M. Clinton: I am very pleased that the Iron Dome defense has been performing so well. The joint project shows the United States' enduring commitment to the safety and security of Israel's people and for Israel's right to defends itself (Haaretz)

11:10 P.M. Hillary Clinton: It is essential to deescalate the situation in Gaza (Haaretz)

11:01 P.M. Jordan's King Abdullah warns Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of ground operation. "The halting of the [military] escalation in all its forms what will open the way for diplomatic efforts and calm." Prior to his talk with the premier, Abdullah spoke with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi, asking him to increase his efforts to achieve a cease-fire (Barak Ravid)

11:00 P.M. IDF says its assault on Gaza over last few hours hit a bank serving Hamas, a terror site in southern Gaza, a Hamas command center in northern Gaza, a Hamas safe house and meeting point as well as a system of tunnels used to smuggle in fuel for Hamas activities, four weapons storage facilities and two weapons factories.

10:40 P.M. IDF: Since beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense, 1,500 targets were hit in the Gaza Strip, 133 on Tuesday. Iron Dome intercepted 389 rockets since operations' onset, including 51 on Tuesday (Haaretz)

10:25 P.M. Hamas postpones planned Cairo press conference on cease-fire with Israel (Avi issacharoff)

10:22 P.M. Report: IDF bombing tunnels used to smuggle petrol in south of Gaza Strip (Haaretz)

10:14 P.M. Izzat a-Rashak, a member of the Hamas political bureau, says no deal for cease-fire with Israel as of yet, adding that "all the options are open" (Avi Issacharoff)

next previous 10 of 10 | Israeli military ambulances drive outside the northern Gaza Strip (seen in the background) November 21, 2012. Credit: Reuters 1 of 10 | Police arriving on the scene on Nov. 21, 2012 after an attack on a bus in central Tel Aviv. The attacker disembarked, leaving behind a bag that later exploded. Credit: Daniel Bar-On 2 of 10 | A Palestinian walks past the Islamic National Bank after it was destroyed in what witnesses said was an Israeli air strike in Gaza City November 20, 2012. Credit: Reuters

10:09 P.M. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Israel, to hold joint press conference with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at 11 P.M. (Haaretz)

9:56 P.M. Israel intensifies attacks on Gaza Strip (AP)

9:54 P.M. Gaza medical officials report 19 killed during Tuesday attacks, including several children (Jack Khoury)

9:30 P.M. Defense Ministry says civilian killed in mortar attack earlier Tuesday is Eliyan Salem el-Nabari, a ministry worker of Bedouin descent. Two other workers were lightly wounded in the volley (Gili Cohen)

9:05 P.M. IDF says aerial strike kills Islamic Jihad militant responsible for rocket fire on Eilat in April (Gili Cohen)

9:03 P.M. 56,000 IDF reservists have been called up so far for Operation Pillar of Defense, with an enlistment rate of 85 percent (Gili Cohen)

8:57 P.M. 14 rockets fired by Gaza militants exploded in residential areas over course of Tuesday, marking a record number since beginning of Operation Pillar of Defense (Gili Cohen)

8:35 P.M. Gaza hospitals report severe shortage in medical supplies (Amira Hass)

8:19 P.M. IDF says conducted 17 air strikes on Tuesday, killing 18 militants belonging to Hamas and Islamic Jihad (Gili Cohen)

8:03 P.M. Soldier killed earlier today in mortar attack on western Negev is Corporal Yosef Partok, 18, from the West Bank settlement of Immanuel.

8 P.M. Civilian also killed in mortar attack on Eshkol Regional Council earlier in the day (Gili Cohen)

7:54 P.M. Iran official: Palestinian militants should be "equipped" in order to defend themselves against Israel's "organized terrorism" (Reuters)

7:45 P.M. Lifted gag order reveals that an IDF soldier was killed in Gaza mortar attack on the Eshkol Regional Council earlier in the day (Gili Cohen)

7:41 P.M. IDF says airstrike killed two Islamic Jihad militants in central Gaza Strip town of Deir al-Balah (Gili Cohen)

7:35 P.M. Palestinian and Egyptian officials are now saying that there is still no agreement on a cease-fire. (Haaretz)

7:31 P.M. Five rockets fired towards Be'er Sheva, at least three intercepted by Iron Dome. (Haaretz)

7:19 P.M. Rocket alert sounds in Be'er Sheva area. (Haaretz)

7:01 P.M. Israeli official says truce deal with Gaza militants not yet finalized, 'ball still in play.' (Barak Ravid)

6:57 P.M. Update on Rishon Letzion rocket hit: Two lightly wounded, 10 treated for anxiety; authorities evacuate residents over fears building may collapse.

6:55 P.M. Deputy U.S. National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes: "President Obama underscored once again the importance of working for a de-escalation to the conflict in Gaza. He commended President Morsi’s efforts to pursue a de-escalation. And he also underscored that President Morsi’s efforts reinforce the important role that President Morsi and Egypt play on behalf of regional security and the pursuit of broader peace between the Palestinians and Israelis."

6:46 P.M.IDF says 147 rockets fired by Gaza militants on Tuesday, with 94 exploding in Israel; Iron Dome intercepts 51 rockets (Gili Cohen)

6:36 P.M. Ministerial panel approves Defense Minister Ehud Barak's proposal to expand Iron Dome budget by NIS 750 million (Haaretz)

6:24 P.M. Report: U.S. President Barack Obama spoke with Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi three times in the last 24 hours (Al Arabiya)

6:22 P.M. Two Palestinians killed in Israeli strike, both reportedly photographers for Hamas' TV station (Avi Issacharoff)

6:15 P.M. Rocket fired by Gaza militants directly hits building in central city of Rishon Letzion, one lightly wounded (Haaretz)

6:14 P.M. Hamas official: Gaza truce to be declared at 9 P.M., go into effect midnight, Israel time (Avi Issacharoff)

6:10 P.M. Initial reports indicate rocket fired by Gaza militants explodes in central city of Rishon Letzion (Yanir Yagna)

18:04 P.M. Rocket alarm sounds in Rishon Letzion area in central Israel (Yanir Yagna)

5:55 P.M. IDF says Gaza militants launched 121 rockets until Tuesday afternoon, Iron Dome intercepts 27 (Gili Cohen)

5:45 P.M. Masked gunmen publicly execute six suspected collaborators with Israel at a busy Gaza City intersection, according to witnesses. Hamas military wing claims responsibility. Witnesses say the six men were pulled out of a van, forced to lie face down on the street and then shot dead. Five bodies lay in a pile as a mob stomped and spit on them. A sixth body was tied to a motorcycle and dragged through the streets as people screamed, "Spy! Spy!" Hamas posted a sign on an electricity pole, naming the six alleged informers. (AP)

5:45 P.M. Deputy U.S. National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes: "We believe that it's very important that the Palestinian Authority continues to be a part of these discussions. They have legitimacy to be a part of these discussions, and they are clearly going to play a role in the future of the Palestinian people - and a leading role" (Natasha Mozgovaya)

5: 43 P.M. UN Secretary General Ban: "A further escalation will be dangerous and will put the entire region at risk. I call everybody to restore calm. Rocket fire from Gaza on Israel is unacceptable and must stop immediately. Israel should show maximum restraint. I warn against a ground operation. We should protect civilians at all times" (Barak Ravid)

5:39 P.M. Benjamin Netanyahu: Israel won't hesitate to do what's necessary to defend its citizens (Haaretz)

5:36 P.M. Rocket fired by Gaza militants directly hit Ashkelon home; initial reports indicate none wounded (Yanir Yagna)

5:24 P.M. Senior Israeli officials with knowledge of ongoing talks geared at reaching a cease-fire with Hamas will go into effect by Tuesday evening, adding that they hoped that the deal's last points will be finalized in a meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, due to take place at 10 P.M.

The officials added that the deal would not be a written agreement, and that no papers will be signed. "There will be understandings that will center on the cessation of Gaza rocket fire and the end of IAF strikes," the officials said, adding that "discussions with the Egyptians on other issues like border crossings and arms smuggling will take place down the line" (Barak Ravid) (Barak Ravid)

5:05 P.M. Egyptian sources to Haaretz: Cease-fire signing to take place in Cairo on Wednesday, to be participated by UN chief Ban Ki-moon (Jack Khoury)

4:44 Gaza residents reported that IDF craft have been dispersing leaflets, warning them to leave their homes and concentrate in the center of Gaza City. According to the reports, the leaflets specifically warn the residents of the following Gaza neighborhoods: Sheikh Ijlin, Tel al-Hawa, south Rimal, Zeitoun, Shuja'iyya, Turkeman, new Shuja'iyya, and the outskirts of A- Shati.

The document was also published on Facebook, causing some residents to doubt the veracity of the message. However, the IDF Spokesman confirmed the contents of the paper, reiterating that the residents of those parts of Gaza City were indeed urged to leave their homes (Amira Hass)

4:40 P.M. Six rockets fall in open areas in western Negev; no injuries reported.

4:30 P.M. Five Israelis lightly wounded by rocket in western Negev.

4:13 P.M. Two rockets land in city of Ashdod, one explodes near a storefront.

3:58 P.M. Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman tells UN chief Ban Ki-moon that, if Israel elects to embark on a ground offensive in Gaza, "it wouldn't be a limited operation, like a Pillar of Defense II, but more like an Operation Defensive Shield II," referring to Israel's comprehensive actions in the West Bank during the Second Intifada. "Comments and public declarations, urging Israel to refrain from a ground offensive, bolster Hamas and lengthen the current conflict," Lieberman said (Barak Ravid).

3:54 P.M. IDF carries out third air strike in last 90 minutes, hits terror cell launching anti-tank missiles in the Dahaniya airport, wounding Hamas operative in another area in Gaza.

3:50 P.M. Some 100 Palestinians clashing with IDF soldiers near the place where the Gaza rocket exploded in Gush Etzion.

3:27 P.M. Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi said on Tuesday that "Israeli aggression" against Gaza would end later in the day, the Egyptian state news agency MENA reported.

"President Mohammed Morsi announced that the farce of Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip will end on Tuesday," MENA said, quoting public remarks made by the country's head of state after the funeral of his sister.

"The efforts to conclude a truce between the Palestinian and Israeli sides will produce positive results in the next few hours," he was quoted as saying. Egypt has been trying to mediate a truce to end the conflict. (Reuters)

3:27 P.M. Two Israelis were lightly wounded after a rocket exploded in Eshkol Regional Council. Another rocket landed in an open area.

3:10 P.M. Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby arrived in Rafah crossing along with 10 Arab foreign ministers in order to display "support for the Palestinian people."

2:51 P.M. According to the IDF, Israel attacked 11 terror cells in Gaza. At least five people were killed during the strikes.

2:43 P.M. UN chief Ban Ki-moon lands in Israel to meet with Netanyahu, Lieberman, and Peres

2:14 P.M. Rocket alert sounds in Jerusalem; two rockets explode in open areas near Gush Etzion, south of Jerusalem. No casualties reported. Hamas takes responsibility for the rocket fire.

1:41 P.M. Hamas' Al-Aqsa TV station broadcast a tape of Mohammed Deif, who is considered Hamas' military commander, and who was seriously wounded several years ago in an attempted assassination by Israel. "The resistance confused the enemy, and if they embark on a ground operation, that would be a step toward releasing all the prisoners," he said, hinting at the abduction of soldiers.

1:23 P.M. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday in a meeting with the German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle that Israel demands that the cease-fire include a "long-range agreement that would ensure that no more rockets will be fired into Gaza." Netanyahu said he prefers a diplomatic solution, but if that is not attained, "Israel has the right to defend itself by other means."

1:17 P.M. Rocket hits house in Netivot, causes damage but no casualties. Four rockets land in Sderot, one near a house. Another rocket explodes in open area in Hof Ashkelon Regional Council.

12:30 P.M. Lebanon's Hezbollah urges Arab states to send weapons to Hamas to fight Israel. Hassan Nasrallah said in a televised speech that Arab leaders should deliver "more missiles to the Palestinian resistance in Gaza" to counter Israel's offensive.

12:22 P.M. Rocket explodes near house in Sderot. No reported causalties.

12:17 P.M. Armor officer in the IDF reserves was moderately wounded from shrapnel after a rocket exploded in Eshkol Regional Council. He was evacuated to the Sheba Medical Center in Tel Hashomer.

12:03 P.M. Rocket barrage fired toward Ashkelon, Kiryat Malakhi, and Be'er Tuvia Regional Council. Two rockets explode in open areas in Hof Ashkelon Regional Council and Be'er Tuvia Regional Council.

10:58 A.M. Palestinians report 5 killed and 10 wounded in IDF strikes in Gaza

10:56 A.M. Gaza militants fire 60 rockets toward southern Israel

10:37 A.M. Iron Dome intercepts rockets above Ashdod. Since Tuesday morning, 30 Grad rockets fired toward Be'er Sheva, 4 land inside the city. Damage done but no casualties reported.

10:31 A.M. Rocket causes damage to house in Be'er Sheva, no casualties. More than 40 rockets fired from Gaza on Tuesday.

10:29 A.M. IDF soldier moderately wounded after mortar shell explodes in Eshkol Regional Council.

10:16 A.M. White House: Obama has not asked Israel to hold off on ground invasion of Gaza, he believes Israel has the right to make its own security decisions.

10:10 A.M. Rocket barrage fired toward Be'er Sheva. Iron Dome intercepts two rockets above the city.

9:52 A.M. Iron Dome intercepts two rockets above Be'er Sheva. Another rocket lands in open area in the city. Palestinians report two killed in IDF strike on Beit Lahia.

9.50 A.M. White House: Bottom line is Hamas has to end rocket fire; Egypt can be a partner in helping to resolve issues. (Reuters)

9:42 A.M. In Cairo, UN Secretary General calls for immediate steps from all sides to stop Gaza escalation, including ground invasion (Reuters)

9:37 A.M. Gaza militants fired 37 rockets into southern Israel on Tuesday morning. One man was lightly hurt.

9:32 A.M. IDF attacked two terror cells that were about to launch rockets into Israel overnight. IDF says rocket barrage likely renewed Tuesday morning due to the IDF strike on a Gaza bank and attack on several homes of Hamas leaders.

9:00 A.M. Iron Dome intercepts three rockets above Be'er Sheva.

8:50 A.M. Hamas politburo chief Khaled Meshal and Islamic Jihad chief Ramadan Abdullah Shalah due to meet Tuesday morning with Egyptian intelligence chief Raafat Shehata in an effort to lay out the final details of a cease-fire agreement. Should the two okay the wording of the deal, which was transferred to Egypt from Israel, a cease-fire would be declared. According to Egyptian sources, the agreement would be carried out in two stages: first, a general cease-fire would be implemented, and second, a discussion would be held on opening crossings to Gaza and lifting the blockade.

8:30 A.M. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton to make surprise visit to Israel on Tuesday in order to advance cease-fire efforts. Clinton due to meet with Netanyahu on Wednesday, as well as with Peres, Barak, and Lieberman. UN chief Ban Ki-moon will visit Israel on Tuesday as well. Clinton will meet Palestinian Authority officials, but will not meet with Hamas leaders.

8:28 A.M. IAF strikes headquarters of Gaza Strip bank. The inside of the bank was destroyed, and a building supply business in the basement was damaged. Hamas set up the bank after foreign lenders, afraid of running afoul of international terror financing laws, stopped doing business with the Gaza government. (AP)

8:02 A.M. Volley of rockets fired from Gaza toward Be'er Sheva, Ofakim and other communities near the Gaza Strip.

16 rockets fired toward Be'er Sheva, three land inside the city. One hit a road and caused damage to a bus, which was parked after its passengers got off due to the siren. Another missile hit a house, causing damage to the building. A third rocket hit a parked car. No casualties reported. Iron Dome intercepts 9 out of 16 rockets fired at Be'er Sheva.

7:34 A.M. Iron Dome intercepts two rockets above Be'er Sheva.

6:48: IDF strikes 100 targets in Gaza Strip overnight (Ch.10)

6:13 A.M.Senior Israeli ministers conclude meeting, rumors that cease-fire is nigh (Army Radio)

5:28 A.M. IDF continues air strikes in Gaza, Palestinians report bombings in Gaza City (Ch.10)

4:42 A.M. President Shimon Peres, in an interview to CNN broadcast Monday evening EST, called on critics of the Israeli operation in Gaza to suggest an alternative. "Whoever criticizes us should suggest an alternative – we started with great restraint. In the last six days 1,200 missiles fall on our civilians lives, on mothers, on children. We tried to do it with restraint, but apparently they hide themselves in private homes, even in mosques, and we are trying to do our best not to hit any civilian on the other side, but unfortunately a war is a war and they can stop it in one minute if they’ll stop shooting, there won’t be any causalities."

Peres also said he is disappointed with the Palestinian President's insistence to continue with the UN request for a non-member status: they could give Israel time to solve the crisis in Gaza, while unilateral move will only hurt Abbas.

Peres also spoke to The Israel Project, pro-Israel advocacy organization: "I do not believe that the reasons underlying this operation are political or related to the elections," he said. "No politician in Israel would endanger our children for votes." (Natsha Mozgovaya)

3:54 A.M. Al-Arabiya reports cease-fire between Hamas and Israel a few hours away (Army Radio)

2:18 A.M. CNN reports that the U.S. is sending three warships to the Eastern Mediterranean to be ready to assist in the evacuation of American citizens from Israel. A U.S. official quoted in the report stated that the ships are being sent as part of preparations by the U.S. for all possible outcomes related to Operation Pillar of Defense and do not reflect the actual likelihood of U.S. citizens being evacuated.

2:00 A.M. Rocket sirens in Sderot, Kiryat Gat (Army Radio)

1:55 A.M. Rocket siren sounds in Ashkelon (Army Radio)

12:54 A.M. Nine senior Israeli ministers currently meeting to discuss continuation of Gaza operation

12:12 A.M. Rocket fired at Ofakim fall in open spaces (Army Radio)

10:59 P.M. Netanyahu rejects French-Qatari cease-fire initiatives. PM tells French foreign minister that Israel is not interested in French or Qatari mediation and prefers to avoid any moves that might interfere with the Egyptian mediation.

10:48 P.M. Christians United for Israel, the United States’ largest pro-Israel organization, has launched a campaign to ban Hamas from Twitter. In a letter to Twitter, the group writes: "By allowing Hamas to have a Twitter account, you are providing it with an important 'service' and extremely effective 'communications equipment' which are central to its primary mission of terrorizing the Israeli people and using civilian deaths to score political points."

For Monday's updates, click here