Obama sends Clinton to Mideast amid Gaza crisis

JERUSALEM - US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is headed for Israel for talks with both Israel and Palestinian leaders, Israel's media reported Tuesday morning.

Clinton is expected to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Palestinian National Authority President Mahmoud Abbas, Israel Radio reported.  

Prime Minister Office Spokesman Mark Regev, however, would not confirm nor deny the report when queried by Xinhua.

Clinton's possible arrival comes at a crucial moment as Cairo- mediated separate cease-fire talks with Israel and Hamas aim to end the mutual attacks between the two sides.

In Jerusalem overnight, Netanyahu's so-called "forum of nine" ministers discussed possible terms of a cease-fire, but so far, no conclusions were divulged to the media.