Palestinian negotiators in Egypt have agreed to extend the Gaza cease-fire between Israel and Hamas for another 24 hours, a source with the Palestinian delegation in Cairo told NBC News. Israeli officials did not immediately provide comment to NBC News, but Israeli media quoted officials confirming the cease-fire extension. The announcement came late Monday, less than an hour before a temporary truce was set to expire in the Gaza conflict, which has killed more than 1,900 Palestinians and 67 Israelis. The deadline had been set for midnight Tuesday (5 p.m. ET Monday).
In a statement cited by the Associated Press, Egypt confirmed a deal has yet to be reached but that indirect talks on a long-term arrangement in the Palestinian territory would go on. Since last week, Egypt has been hosting indirect talks between Israel and Hamas with the goal of ending the bloody conflict. Hamas is calling for an end to a seven-year Israeli-Egyptian blockade of Gaza that it says has ravaged the local economy. Israel, in turn, is demanding guarantees that Hamas, which launched thousands of rockets into Israel during the fighting, will be disarmed.
