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INTERNATIONAL DIPLOMATIC efforts to address the crisis in Gaza gathered pace yesterday but, with Israel rebuffing calls for an immediate ceasefire, it remained unclear how long it would take to resolve the situation.

In Washington, the state department said the US was seeking a ceasefire that would bring an end to Hamas rocket attacks on Israel, open crossings in and out of the Gaza and address the issue of tunnels used for smuggling. Such a ceasefire would not have a time limit, unlike the previous six-month truce that ended in mid-December, a spokesman said, adding that the US is working with the EU on the issue. He declined, however, to say whether the US and EU are in agreement on the terms of a potential ceasefire.