GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Gaza Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh called Egyptian President Muhammad Mursi to discuss truce efforts, Haniyeh's office said Sunday.

The leaders discussed efforts to halt Israel's aerial offensive on the Gaza Strip, particularly on the guarantees needed to prevent repeat attacks.

Haniyeh thanked Mursi for Egypt's immediate steps to support to Gaza during the deadly violence, and the visit of Egyptian premier Hisham Kandil to the coastal strip on Friday.

Mursi said he would do whatever it takes to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza.

The Egyptian president had said on Saturday there were "some indications" a ceasefire could be reached soon between Israel and Gaza Palestinians but he had no firm guarantees.