Media reports pointed out on Monday that Egypt is currently exerting diplomatic efforts to reach a new ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian resistance factions and Israel.
Last week, Israeli and Palestinian groups blamed one another for the collapse of an Egyptian-sponsored 24-hour truce late on Tuesday, which led to the resumption of the armed conflict.
Egypt previously brokered two 72-hour truce agreements and a five-day ceasefire in a bid to allow more time for negotiators from both sides to reach common ground and put an end to Israel's offensive on the enclave that started on 8 July.
Israeli military sources confirmed that Egypt is currently working to finalise a month-long ceasefire between both sides, the Palestinian Ma'an news agency reported.
Stating that Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have approved the initiative, sources who spoke to the Israeli Walla news website added that this temporary truce may be announced by Monday night so long as "no changes occur at the last minute.”
If the deal is reached, Gazans will be allowed to cross the Rafah border as a first stage; this will be followed by opening the Israeli-blocked Karam Abu Salem crossing for the entrance of goods-including construction materials.
Fishermen will also be able to engage in fishing and sailing activities within 12 nautical miles of the shore as previously requested by Palestinian negotiators, Ma'an said.
Nevertheless, Hamas spokesperson – Ezzat Al-Rasheq – denied any progress concerning the halt of fighting thus far.
"There is no news regarding any ceasefire; we will immediately announce any developments,” Al-Rasheq tweeted early Monday.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi on Saturday to discuss the latest developments in Cairo's attempts to renew the ceasefire.
Abbas stated that his primary concern is putting an immediate end to the bloodshed in Gaza. "We must first stop the bloodshed and then address providing humanitarian aid to the strip,” Abbas was quoted as saying.
"We must also start Gaza's reconstruction immediately after the ceasefire takes place," Abbas stated.
He said that all parties "can sit together for negotiations" after achieving a ceasefire deal. The president added that Hamas does not mind Egypt's role in any talks, regardless of any political issues between the Islamist movement and the current regime in Cairo.
This is the second time the two presidents discuss the Gaza conflict as Abbas also met with El-Sisi in Cairo in mid-July.
Last Thursday, Ziyad Nakhala, leading member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, told Ahram Online that Israel's delegation –not the Palestinian one – withdrew from the Cairo talks that sought to reach an end to the ongoing Israeli offensive on the Gaza Strip.
In a phone conversation, Nakhala – also a member of the Palestinian negotiating team – asserted the willingness of the Palestinian delegation to return to the "negotiating table" under Egyptian mediation.
"Cairo will push for a new round of talks whenever it thinks it's necessary, but we will positively respond if invited and are fully prepared," said Nakhala, speaking from Beirut.
He asserted that all parties within the Palestinian delegation – including the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO), Hamas and Islamic Jihad – have agreed on the Egyptian initiative and also praised Egypt's "great efforts" in mediating between the Palestinian factions and Israel.
"Israel did not properly meet the Palestinian demands as it rejected discussing the subjects of constructing an airport and seaport in Gaza, despite them being previously agreed upon during the 1993 Oslo Accords," mentioned Nakhala.
Nakhala argued that Israel is "not serious and keeps maneuvering in an attempt to gain time,” adding that this was not a problem as they “have enough time to resist as long as the Israeli aggression continues."
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday that the offensive on Gaza will "continue until its aims are achieved" and that "it may take time", AFP quoted him as saying.
Netanyahu warned that Hamas is "paying and will continue to pay a heavy price for the crimes it carries out."
Moreover, he called on residents of Gaza to immediately leave any structure allegedly used by Hamas for firing rockets against Israel. "All such sites are a target for us,” he noted.
Several Israeli government officials have threatened to begin another ground offensive in Gaza, a situation that Hamas has expressed rejection for.
Sami Abu Zuhri, a spokesperson for Hamas said Israel seeks "media consumption" after issuing such a warning, Egypt's state-run news agency MENA reported.
"The occupation forces which ran away from Gaza will not dare to return" Abu Zuhri stated.
Since the beginning of the seven-week offensive on the coastal strip, 2,122 Palestinians and 68 Israelis have lost their lives. While Palestinian casualties have primarily been civilians, Israeli deaths have been primarily soldiers.
