The ball is now in Israel’s court. We would like a positive response from them as soon as possible," Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty told NBC News.

Israel’s ongoing bombardment of Gaza, where starvation is rampant, has prompted outcry from global leaders. France, Australia and Canada are among a growing number of countries that have called for Palestinian statehood. The United Kingdom said it will agree to recognize Palestine as a state if Israel does not accept a ceasefire deal.