Gaza cease-fire negotiations set to 'resume' in Cairo on Sunday

By Ibrahim Khazin

CAIRO (AA) – Negotiations for a cease-fire and release of hostages held in the Gaza Strip will resume in Cairo on Sunday, Egypt's Al Qahera News reported on Saturday, citing an official source.

The source said intensive efforts are ongoing to reach a deal before the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins early March.

There is significant progress in negotiations, and a fair agreement is sought, according to the insider.

On Feb. 24, the news channel reported the resumption of talks at the level of "experts" in Doha, saying meetings in Cairo will follow.

Israel vowed to destroy Palestinian group Hamas after the Oct. 7 attacks in which around 1,200 Israelis were killed and about 250 others taken hostage to Gaza.

Since then, more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes, and many more bodies are likely unaccounted for under rubble across the besieged enclave.

Israel and Hamas have been negotiating through mediators Egypt, Qatar and the US for a possible cease-fire in the territory.

An earlier truce for cessation of hostilities and hostage-prisoner exchange lasted for a week from Nov. 24 to Dec. 1, 2023.

*Writing by Rania Abu Shamala