Talks on Gaza truce deal to resume in Egypt

Cairo: A delegation from the Palestinian group Hamas is expected to meet with Qatari, Egyptian and US mediators on Sunday in a bid to strike a deal on a truce in Gaza amid the Israel-Hamas war.

Negotiators have been discussing a proposal for a 40-day pause in fighting and an exchange of hostages held by Hamas for Palestinians held in Israeli jails, according to details made public by Britain.

Israel has so far sent no delegation to the talks in Cairo, with an Israeli official telling the AFP news agency it would do so only if there was "positive movement."

Up to now, both sides have accused each other of blocking a deal.

Hamas has said it will not agree to any truce that does not include a complete end to the war and Israel's withdrawal from the Gaza Strip.

Israel has refused to guarantee an end to its offensive, launched after Hamas carried out attacks in southern Israel on October 7 in which 1,200 Israelis were killed and 250 taken hostage.

Last November, 105 of the hostages were released in exchange for Palestinians held by Israel during a weeklong cease-fire, but since then negotiations have failed to produce any lasting truce.

It is unclear how many of the Israelis remaining in captivity are still alive.