Tel Aviv - Israel will send a top official to Cairo to discuss the details of a French-Egyptian proposal for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, local media reported Wednesday.

Earlier, Israeli officials said the Jewish State welcomed the proposal, announced by Egypt President Hosny Mubarak at a press conference the night before with French leader Nicolas Sarkozy.

The plan calls for a cessation of violence, allowing aid to reach civilians, along with a call for the Israelis and Palestinians to take steps to make sure another conflict does not erupt. It also includes an invitation to discuss ending Israel's blockade on Gaza.

Mark Regev, an Israeli spokesman, said Israel wanted a "sustainable solution" that would include an end to Palestinian rocket fire and a mechanism to prevent the rearming of Hamas after a ceasefire.

Israeli officials said the talks in Cairo, to be attended by Amos Gilad, a senior defense figure, would include discussions on the borders but the Prime Minister's Office in Jerusalem had no comment on the report.

Mubarak said the proposal also called for the main Palestinian factions, Fatah and Hamas, to start reconciliation talks.

Egypt had brokered a six-month ceasefire, which started to break down in early November and officially ended on 19 December. On 27 December Israel launched Operation Cast Lead, which so far has caused over 700 Palestinian deaths. Nine Israelis, including six soldiers, have died. (dpa)