NEW : Referring to the Egyptian mediation efforts , Barak said , `` It 's important to exhaust the possibility . ` Hard to say how long any cease-fire will last , Israeli defense minister says . Israel has not confirmed cease-fire pact . Comment: Hamas took control of Gaza a year ago .
NEW : Hard to say how long any cease-fire will last , Israeli defense minister says . Israel has not confirmed cease-fire pact . Comment: Hamas took control of Gaza a year ago .