Kerry travels to Cairo seeking 'immediate ceasefire'

US Secretary of State John Kerry traveled to Cairo early Monday for crisis talks on Gaza, following President Barack Obama's call for an "immediate ceasefire" between Israelis and Palestinians.
      
The US top diplomat is scheduled to meet with senior officials from Egypt and other countries, the State Department said, in a bid to halt a blistering land, sea and air assault that has sent thousands of terrified civilians fleeing their homes.
      
Kerry will seek "an immediate cessation of hostilities based on a return to the November 2012 ceasefire agreement," the White House said, stressing the need to protect civilian life both "in Gaza and in Israel."       

According to the State Department, Kerry supports Egypt's initiative to bring about a ceasefire. His visit to the region comes in parallel with a high-profile peace mission by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.
      
Obama spoke Sunday by telephone with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express his "serious concern" after more than 100 Palestinians and 13 Israeli soldiers were killed in the bloodiest day since the Gaza offensive was launched.
      
As more human remains are pulled from the rubble, the Palestinian death toll had risen to 501 by Monday, the fifth day of the Israeli ground operation.
      
Kerry's high-stakes trip came as US media reported that two American members of the Israeli Defense Force were killed in Gaza fighting.
      
The State Department said two US citizens were killed in Gaza violence, but did not immediately disclose their occupations.
                      
During their second call in three days, Obama and Netanyahu "discussed Israel's ongoing...