On Monday , Kerry called for a cease - fire to stop the bloodshed , protect the innocent . Israel has made clear that it will only consider a cease-fire if the pieces are in place to make sure that it is a lasting and durable calm . He was to travel to Egypt and Qatar in the following days . His goal was to set groundwork for a possible cease - fire . An official says the US wants to give Kerry a change to reassert itself in the Mideast .
On Monday , Kerry called for a cease - fire to stop the bloodshed , protect the innocent . He was to travel to Egypt and Qatar in the following days . His goal was to set groundwork for a possible cease - fire . An official says the US wants to give Kerry a change to reassert itself in the Mideast .