MOSCOW, August 5 (RIA Novosti) – Egyptian authorities stated that they aim to achieve an indefinite ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, El-Badil newspaper reported Tuesday, quoting an Egyptian Foreign Affairs Ministry statement.
“During the ceasefire period, Egypt will hold negotiations with the delegations from both sides, the aim of which is to implement the initiative that was earlier proposed by Egypt. We hope that this will enable to achieve the indefinite ceasefire and to restore stability in the region,” the newspaper cited the statement as saying.
A ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, concluded with the mediation of Egypt, came into effect on Tuesday morning. It is meant to last for three days. During this time, both sides are supposed to hold indirect talks in Cairo.
Israeli troops have completed their main mission of destroying cross-border underground tunnels in Gaza and were withdrawn from the Gaza Strip.
It was the second time in four days that the two sides had attempted to achieve a 72-hour long ceasefire. On August 1, bombings resumed in the Gaza Strip just hours after the ceasefire started.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said he welcomed the ceasefire and issued a statement urging Israel and Hamas to begin talks in Cairo as soon as possible.
Israel launched its Gaza offensive on July 8, targeting the Hamas movement and its allied groups of rebels. On July 17, following days of fighting, Tel Aviv switched to a ground offensive to destroy the network of Hamas tunnels around the border area.
The total number of those killed in course of the operation has reached 1,800 Palestinians, mostly civilians. The Israeli side has lost 67 people.
