International mediators had hoped to secure a six-week truce before Ramadan started earlier this week, but Hamas refused any deal that wouldn't lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, a demand Israel rejected.
Ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas could restart again as early as Sunday, Egyptian mediators say.
The talks would mark the first time both Israeli officials and Hamas leaders joined the indirect negotiations since the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. The officials spoke to the Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to reveal the contents of the sensitive discussions.The Israel-Gaza war has spilled over in Lebanon, Jordan and the Red Sea, fuelling fears of a wider war in the Middle East. Let's take a look at the key players and how the conflict is escalating.
In the second phase, the two sides would declare a permanent ceasefire and Hamas would free the remaining Israeli soldiers held hostage in exchange for more prisoners, the officials said. Many Palestinians fled to Rafah when Israel began attacking Gaza following the October 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people and led to another 250 being held hostage in Gaza.Mr Netanyahu's office said the Rafah operation would involve the evacuation of the civilian population, but did not give details or a timetable.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Ceasefire talks with Israel and Hamas expected to restartStalled talks aimed at securing a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas are expected to restart in earnest in Qatar as soon as Sunday, according to Egyptian officials.
Read more »
US Vice President Harris calls for six-week ceasefire in Israel-Hamas warUS Vice President Kamala Harris has called for a proposed six-week ceasefire deal in the Israel-Hamas war to be accepted, while criticising Israel over insufficient aid deliveries into Gaza.
Read more »
Israel Hamas: Why Israel will press ahead and invade Rafah in southern GazaThe Israeli leadership sees its war against Hamas as one element of a broader geopolitical rearrangement driven by Russia, China and Iran – and says the West should be worried.
Read more »
Netanyahu approves military operation as Hamas ceasefire plan labelled ‘ridiculous’Up to 1.4 million displaced Palestinians will be forced to seek shelter in Gaza's southern-most city ahead of a looming ground offensive by Israel's forces.
Read more »
Israel-Gaza update: Mossad says it's working to 'narrow the gaps' in ceasefire negotiationsEfforts to secure a deal on a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza are ongoing, Israel's intelligence agency Mossad says, despite dimming hopes for a truce during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
Read more »
Hamas-Israel: Forces storm Gaza hospital as patients, staff fleeSoldiers raided the main hospital in Khan Younis searching for hostages or their remains in what Israel said was a targeted ground operation in Gaza.
Read more »