Efforts for Gaza ceasefire continue on 2nd day of Cairo talks

CAIRO -- Gaza-ruling Hamas continued talks here on Monday with mediators from Egypt, Qatar, and the United States to reach a ceasefire in Gaza.

Egyptian security sources confirmed to Xinhua that "remarkable progress" was made on Sunday, the first day of the current ceasefire negotiations in Cairo, without providing further details.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the security source said that topics being discussed include a halt to fighting for 40 days during the first phase of the proposed truce, accompanied by the exchange of 40 Israeli hostages, including the elders and civilians, for 400 Palestinian prisoners.

The deal will also ensure entry of 60,000 movable houses, 120,000 tents and 500 aid trucks every day, the source added.

Egypt's state-linked broadcaster Al-Qahera News, citing unnamed security sources, said the current round of talks would be concluded on Monday, adding that Egypt has been working with the Qatari and US sides to reach a "fair deal" on a truce before the start of the holy month of Ramadan.

Israel has yet to send a delegation to Cairo. According to Israeli media, the country won't do so unless Hamas provides a list of hostages still alive and the number of Palestinian prisoners that it requires for each hostage.

Israel waged a massive campaign on Gaza after Hamas attacked Israeli towns, killed about 1,200, and took over 200 as hostages on Oct 7 last year.

Since then, the Israeli retaliation has killed 30,534 Palestinians and wounded 71,920 others, according to the latest data released by Gaza's health ministry on Monday.