Egypt has invited the Palestinian Authority and Israel to send delegations to Cairo for truce talks after the both sides agreed to 72-hour ceasefire in Gaza brokered by the US and UN, the foreign ministry said today.
Egypt's invitation came after the United Nation representative in Jerusalem Robert Serry received assurances that "all parties agreed" to a three-day truce in Gaza.
"Egypt stresses that it is important for both sides to respect the ceasefire that they have agreed on, so the negotiations can take place in a favourable atmosphere and achieve the desired results," the foreign ministry said in a statement said.
The ceasefire is set to commence at 0500 GMT today for 72 hours unless extended.
Hamas had last month rejected an Egyptian initiative for a durable truce followed by talks, demanding guarantees that Israel would end its eight-year blockade of Gaza.
Since Israel began its offensive in Gaza on July 8, at least 1,435 Palestinians have been killed, along with 56 Israeli soldiers and three Israeli civilians have died in Hamas attacks.
