Israelis, Palestinians begin new talks to end Gaza war

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resumed indirect talks mediated by Egypt on August 11 on ending a month-old Gaza war, Egypt's state news agency said, after a new 72-hour truce, which began at 2100 GMT on Sunday, appeared to be holding.

A general view shows Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat and Arab League Chief Nabil el-Araby during the meeting at the Arab League in Cairo August 11. (Image credit: Reuters)
A general view shows Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat and Arab League Chief Nabil el-Araby during the meeting at the Arab League in Cairo August 11. (Image credit: Reuters)

A senior Israeli government official had said on Sunday Israeli negotiators, who had left Cairo on Friday hours before a previous three-day ceasefire expired, would return to Egypt to resume the talks only if the new truce held.

Hamas is demanding an end to Israeli and Egyptian blockades of the Gaza Strip and the opening of a seaport in the enclave - a project Israel says should be dealt with only in any future talks on a permanent peace deal with the Palestinians.

A month of war has killed 1,938 Palestinians and 67 Israelis while devastating wide tracts of densely populated Gaza, and Egypt's Foreign Ministry has urged both sides to work towards "a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire agreement".

Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zuhri said the new negotiations would be "the last chance" for an agreement. Israeli representatives are not meeting face-to-face with the Palestinian delegation because it includes Hamas, which Israel regards as a terrorist organisation.

Reuters