Indirect talks between Israelis and Palestinians for a long-term truce in Gaza resumed today, with just over a day left before a temporary ceasefire is set to expire, a Palestinian official said.
The Egyptian-mediated talks have dragged since August 4, when both sides agreed a renewable temporary ceasefire to end a month of fighting that killed almost 2,000 Palestinians in Gaza.
The latest such ceasefire, a five-day lull meant to give Egyptian mediators time to bridge the gaps in the negotiations, came amid mounting pressure on Hamas militants in Gaza who say they will resume firing rockets into Israel if their demands are not met.
Hamas, the defacto rulers of the impoverished enclave, want a firm Israeli commitment to end the blockade of Gaza and demand an airport in the coastal strip.
Israel has insisted that its security conditions be met.
The talks started today in the headquarters of the Egyptian intelligence - who mediate the negotiations - in the absence of some Hamas leaders who were expected in Cairo later in the day.
The Palestinian delegation is led by Azzam al-Ahmed, an aide to the moderate Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas who had signed a unity agreement with Hamas in April.
