Hamas delegation due in Cairo for ceasefire talks

A Hamas delegation was due in Cairo on Friday to give its "observations" about an Egyptian plan for a ceasefire recently put to officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Sources close to Hamas say Cairo's three-stage plan provides for renewable ceasefires, a staggered release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, and ultimately a ceasefire to end the war.

It also provides for a Palestinian government of technocrats after talks involving "all Palestinian factions", which would be responsible for governing and rebuilding in post-war Gaza.

A Hamas official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told AFP on Thursday that the delegation would "give the response of the Palestinian factions, including several observations" regarding details of the exchanges and "guarantees for a complete Israeli military withdrawal".

Diaa Rashwan, who heads Egypt's State Information Services, said the plan was "intended to bring together the views of all parties concerned, with the aim of ending the shedding of Palestinian blood".

Reporting by AFP.