Gaza truce talks set to restart in Egypt with hopes for a deal [Video]

CAIRO – Hamas negotiators arrived in Cairo on May 4 for new talks aimed at reaching a ceasefire in Gaza, where the war between the Iran-backed militant group and Israel is nearing the seven-month mark.

Reports in Saudi Arabian media that could not be independently confirmed suggested that Hamas negotiators were prepared to accept an Egypt-brokered deal within hours.

Israel’s Channel 12 also quoted a Hamas official, who was not identified, saying the organisation’s leadership had approved the implementation of the first phase of a hostage release plan.

Egypt’s state-affiliated Al-Qahera News TV channel also confirmed the arrival of the Hamas delegation in Cairo.

“The results today will be different. We have reached an agreement over many points, and a few points remain,” one Egyptian security source told Reuters.

A Palestinian official with knowledge of the mediation efforts sounded cautiously optimistic.

“Things look better this time, but whether an agreement …