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US Secretary of State John Kerry today said no ceasefire deal had been reached yet between Israel and Hamas to halt the Gaza conflict as he and UN chief Ban Ki-moon called on for a seven-day humanitarian truce in the fighting.
Kerry said no deal has been reached to call a halt to the intense fighting in Gaza but efforts are on.
"We are trying to convince both sides to stop the violence and think of their future," he said adding that "we don't yet have that final framework, but none of us are stopping," he said at a press conference here with Ban Ki-moon.
He said both sides "still have some terminology" to agree to on a ceasefire.
Kerry said he had not submitted any formal truce proposal.
"They may have rejected some language in the proposal within the framework ... But there was no formal proposal submitted from me."
His comments came after days of shuttling between the Egyptian capital, Jerusalem and the West Bank trying to work out a week-long truce.
Kerry also mentioned that the US will work with the international community and the Arab League for a ceasefire.
Ban said the US continues its work to reach a ceasefire in Gaza and that all parties should find a way through dialogue.
The conference was also attended by Arab League chief Nabil al-Araby and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry and other officials.
Araby described the current situation is Gaza as "very critical" and said that a ceasefire cannot be delayed.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said "both sides have not shown till now enough willingness to negotiate."
He stressed that the Rafah crossing border will remain open and that the Israeli borders should also be open for humanitarian aid.
