Talks aimed at advancing the fragile Gaza ceasefire have begun in Cairo between mediators and Palestinian factions, a Palestinian source familiar with the meeting told AFP.
The discussions started on Sunday and are scheduled to resume on Monday. They come as violence continues in the territory despite the truce in place since October.
The talks bring together mediators Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, along with representatives of several Palestinian factions. Efforts are ongoing to push forward negotiations on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
According to the source, mediators were due to meet a Hamas delegation before midday on Monday, followed by a wider meeting with all participating factions.
Egypt’s state-linked Al-Qahera News reported that Sunday’s talks focused on “the proposed roadmap for completing the implementation of the agreement”.
It said the meeting took place in a positive atmosphere, adding that there was agreement on continuing the implementation of US President Donald Trump’s plan.
The talks come amid rising regional tensions after Israel and Iran exchanged fire on Monday, testing another fragile truce and raising concerns over wider Middle East stability.
Despite the Gaza ceasefire being in effect since October, daily violence has continued in the territory, more than half of which is under Israeli military control in violation of the ceasefire terms.
According to Gaza’s health ministry, at least 936 people have been killed since the ceasefire began. The ministry operates under Hamas authority, and its figures are considered reliable by the United Nations.
Both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violating the truce.
The first phase of the ceasefire included the release of the last Israeli hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian detainees held by Israel.
A transition to the second phase, which was meant to involve Hamas’s disarmament and a gradual Israeli military withdrawal, has remained stalled for months.
The question of post-war governance in Gaza also remains a key sticking point in negotiations.
Israel rejects any return of Hamas to power and also opposes a direct takeover by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority at this stage.
Hamas, meanwhile, demands the establishment of a Palestinian administration before it considers handing over part of its arsenal. This remains a central issue in phase two talks, along with Israeli withdrawal.
