Diplomatic activity is intensifying over a possible ceasefire to end Israel's war with Hamas in Gaza, BBC reported.
An Israeli government spokesman said he hoped the conflict was "entering its final act", as high-level talks were being held in Egypt and Washington.
Medics said they recovered 23 bodies from rubble in Gaza City as the Israeli bombardment continued. Militants are continuing to fire rockets into Israel.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel to end the fighting now.
"I would like to see an immediate ceasefire," he said after meeting Palestinian Authority leaders in the West Bank.
A deal between Israel and Hamas to stop the conflict may be possible within the next few days, he said.
But Israel insists any ceasefire has to be "durable and sustainable".
Ban Ki-Moon: 'The fighting must stop'
Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal said they would not accept Israeli conditions for a ceasefire.
Health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza say at least 1,105 Palestinians have been killed and 5,100 wounded since Israel launched an operation on 27 December to end rocket attacks against its people.
Thirteen Israelis - three of them civilians - have died, while 233 soldiers have been wounded, the Israeli army says.