Gaza Truce Fire Extended As Talks Resume in Cairo

Local Editor

A new 24-hour ceasefire came into effect in the Gaza Strip Tuesday after "Israeli" and Palestinian negotiators agreed to extend a five-day truce, minutes before a midnight deadline, to allow for further talks on a long-term deal.

News of the last-minute extension came from Cairo late Monday where Egyptian mediators have been pushing put a decisive end to weeks of "Israeli" bloodshed in Gaza, which has martyred more than 2,000 Palestinians.

The announcement was confirmed by both sides just minutes before the five-day ceasefire was to expire at midnight local time.

"Both sides have agreed to a 24-hour ceasefire," a senior Palestinian official said in Cairo.

"Israel" also confirmed accepting the extension to allow talks on a longer-term deal to continue for another 24 hours.

"In response to an Egyptian request, "Israel" agreed to extend the truce for 24 hours in order to continue the negotiations" for a more durable ceasefire, a government official said.

The talks in Cairo center on an Egyptian proposal that meets some of the Palestinian demands, such as easing "Israel's" eight-year blockade on Gaza, but defer debate on other thorny issues until later.

Hamas, which is part of the Palestinian delegation, also said it had agreed to hold fire for another 24 hours following an Egyptian request.

"The negotiations have faced difficulties because of the occupation's obstinacy, and the 24 hour (extension) came as a result of a request by the mediators to have another chance," Hamas politburo member Izzat al-Rishq wrote on Twitter.

Azzam Al-Ahmad, head of the Palestinian negotiating delegation, told reporters in Cairo; "We must take advantage of every minute in the next 24 hours until we reach an agreement or the cycle of violence will continue."

Earlier, a senior member of the Palestinian delegation insisted there had been "progress" on agreeing a more durable ceasefire, with both sides demonstrating "a great degree of flexibility".

"Both delegations are now consulting with their leaderships," he added.

The Egyptian proposals call for both sides to immediately cease fire, and includes provisions relating to opening the borders to allow for free movement of people, goods and construction materials, as well as a clause on regulating the financial crisis within the enclave.

But crucially, it postpones discussions on the thorniest issues, such as a port and airport in Gaza, for another month "after calm and stability returns", along with talks over exchanging the remains of two "Israeli" soldiers for the release of Palestinian prisoners.

As the familiar drama of the truce deadline played out, Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas was in Doha for talks with Meshaal and the Qatari emir.

Monday's deadline marked the end of the third temporary ceasefire in a fortnight.

Ahead of midnight, as uncertainty grew, "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Tel Aviv would hit back on Gaza.

"We are ready for all scenarios... the army is preparing for a very strong response if the firing (of rockets) resumes," he said.

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri responded that "Netanyahu's threats have no weight".

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team