Palestinians eat at a U.N. school where they are sheltering in northern Gaza. Intense fighting was reported near Gaza City as Israel tightened its cordon. (By Hatem Moussa -- Associated Press)
JERUSALEM, Jan. 12 -- Israel's leaders debated Monday how and when to bring their 17-day-old offensive in Gaza to an end, as battles continued to rage on the edge of Gaza City and as Israeli reservists flowed into the territory, ready for a possible deeper push into urban areas.
Speaking after a meeting with Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, special Middle East envoy Tony Blair said that "the elements of an agreement" for a cease-fire were in place. But Israeli officials with knowledge of the talks said significant obstacles remained.