Breakthrough made in Gaza truce talks

GAZA - An important breakthrough has emerged in indirect Palestinian-Israeli negotiations on a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, a source in Islamic Hamas movement said on Monday.

Israel, Hamas extend cease-fire by 24 hours

According to the source, intensive contacts are being made between Egypt, which mediates the negotiations, and Hamas leaders in Qatar. "The announcement will be declared by the Egyptian foreign ministry," the source said.

The source did not elaborate, but added that the deal goes in line with the Palestinians' demands which were presented recently to Egypt after the collapse of the last round of talks.

Meanwhile, a source in the office of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas told Xinhua that the coming hours will witness a permanent ceasefire agreement between the Palestinians and the Israelis under Egyptian auspices.

The new deal is based on the principles and terms of the Egyptian-mediated truce deal of 2012, the source revealed, adding that the Palestinian side has accepted the deal, but is still awaiting the Israeli response, although there is a preliminary approval from the Israeli side.

Last Tuesday, the Egypt-hosted and -mediated indirect ceasefire negotiations between the Israelis and the Palestinians collapsed after nine days of discussions. Egypt has urged both sides to resume talks to avoid more casualties and bloodshed.

Hamas, the de-facto ruler of Gaza, said it will study any offer that will meet the needs and demands of the Palestinian people. Abbas has left Cairo Sunday after a two-day official visit where he met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdul Fattah al-Sisi. Earlier, Abbas had met in Doha with Prince of Qatar Tamim Ben Hamad and Hamas chief Khaled Mishal.

Conditions put forward by the Palestinian delegation include ending the Israeli offensive on Gaza, lifting the eight-year blockade, extending the fishing zone as well as creating a passenger and goods maritime route between Gaza and Cyprus.