Netanyahu says mediation can help to prevent Gaza collapse: report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he welcomes mediation from the United Nations and Egypt to prevent a humanitarian collapse in the Gaza Strip, Israeli media reported Tuesday.

Netanyahu made the comments in a briefing to local journalists on Monday, various Israeli newspapers reported.

Egypt and UN officials have been seeking a long-term truce between Israel and Islamist movement Hamas, which runs the Gaza Strip, with Qatar providing humanitarian assistance.

Security sources in Gaza said a 13-member Egyptian delegation was in the strip on Tuesday to meet with Hamas officials, the latest in a series of such visits.

Months of unrest along the Gaza border have led to fears of a fourth war since 2008 between Israel and Palestinian militants in the blockaded enclave.

"We are working to prevent forces getting into Israel to harm our soldiers and communities," Netanyahu said, quoted by Haaretz newspaper.

"On the other hand, we're working to prevent a humanitarian crisis, which is why we're willing to accept the UN and Egyptian mediation efforts to achieve quiet and fix the electricity situation."