Hamas delegation to visit Cairo on Monday for ceasefire talks
Cairo, Egypt - A delegation from the Palestinian militant group Hamas is expected to visit Cairo on Monday for talks on a possible ceasefire with Israel, according to Egyptian officials.
The talks come amid a renewed escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Since Friday, Israeli airstrikes have killed at least 24 Palestinians, including six children, in Gaza. Hamas has fired hundreds of rockets into Israel in response, causing several injuries.
Egypt has been mediating between Israel and Hamas for several months, and has been trying to broker a long-term ceasefire between the two sides. However, previous efforts have failed, and it is unclear if the latest round of talks will be any more successful.
The Hamas delegation is expected to be led by Ismail Haniyeh, the group's political chief. The delegation will meet with Egyptian intelligence officials to discuss a possible ceasefire agreement.
Israel has said that it is willing to discuss a ceasefire, but only if Hamas agrees to stop firing rockets into Israel. Hamas has said that it is willing to discuss a ceasefire, but only if Israel agrees to lift its blockade of Gaza.
The blockade has been in place since 2007, and has severely restricted the movement of people and goods in and out of Gaza. Hamas says that the blockade is a form of collective punishment, and that it must be lifted before a ceasefire can be agreed.
Egypt has called on both sides to show restraint and to avoid further escalation of violence. The Egyptian government has also urged the international community to support its efforts to broker a ceasefire.
The United Nations has also called for an immediate ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, said that he was "deeply concerned" by the escalation of violence in Gaza.
"I urge all parties to cease fire immediately and to refrain from any actions that could further escalate the situation," Guterres said in a statement.
The escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas has raised fears of a wider conflict in the region. Egypt is hoping that the talks in Cairo can help to prevent a further escalation of violence and to pave the way for a long-term ceasefire.
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