A Hamas delegation led by senior leader Khalil al-Hayya agreed on Saturday in Cairo to release all Israeli hostages in exchange for a five-year truce, according to an Egyptian security source.
The source described talks on Saturday as "very important" for advancing efforts to end the war in Gaza, noting that the Hamas delegation accepted the five-year truce proposal after reviewing various offers.
So far, Israel has not formally responded to any of the proposals, but has given the green light for negotiations to continue regarding the release of hostages, the source added.
Egypt's Al-Qahera News TV channel reported that the Hamas delegation would also discuss a comprehensive deal that ensures the full withdrawal of the Israeli forces from Gaza, and secures the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave. Talks are expected to include the formation of a committee to manage Gaza's administration.
Israel halted the entry of aid supplies into Gaza on March 2, following the expiration of the first six-week phase of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas that started on Jan. 19. Israel claimed the move was due to Hamas' rejection of its offer to extend the first phase. Israeli forces then resumed strikes across Gaza on March 18, effectively ending the phased truce.
On Saturday, the Times of Israel quoted the Israel Defense Forces as saying that if the negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue to be deadlocked, the Israeli military is prepared to significantly expand its military offensive against the Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Gaza-based health authorities said on Saturday that in the previous 24 hours, 56 Palestinians were killed, and 108 others were injured in Israeli military operations in the enclave.
The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported on the same day that the Israeli military conducted airstrikes targeting Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip, Gaza City in the northern part, and the Al-Shati refugee camp, causing at least 16 deaths, including children, and many others were injured.
As of now, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has not issued an official response regarding these incidents.
Also on Saturday, the IDF stated that it had struck over 1,800 targets across the Gaza Strip since the resumption of fighting in the enclave on March 18. In the past 48 hours alone, the Israeli army launched attacks on about 120 targets in the Gaza Strip.
Hamas says open to releasing all hostages for 5-year truce: Egyptian source
China is willing to provide humanitarian assistance to Cambodia to help resettle displaced people in border areas, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said on Sunday in Yuxi, southwest China's Yunnan Province.
Wang, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during a meeting with Prak Sokhonn, Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
Following the signing of a joint statement agreeing to a ceasefire, the Cambodian and Thai foreign ministers are leading delegations meeting in Yunnan from Dec. 28 to 29 at Wang's invitation.
China has been closely following the tense situation on the Cambodia-Thailand border and remains committed to facilitating peace through talks, Wang said, adding that China congratulates both sides on reaching a ceasefire agreement.
The ceasefire marks the beginning of peacebuilding, Wang said, calling on the two sides to proceed in a phased and measured approach to promote a comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, restore normal interactions, rebuild mutual trust, achieve turnaround in bilateral relations, and uphold peace and stability in the region.
He said that both countries can make good use of this face-to-face opportunity for diplomatic and military representatives to engage in dialogue and communication in a flexible manner, enhance mutual understanding, and build mutual trust. He also expressed hope that all sides would jointly send a message of peace from Yunnan, reach a consensus on peace, and demonstrate prospects for peace.
China supports ASEAN in playing its due role and stands ready to provide assistance to the ASEAN observation mission in monitoring the ceasefire, Wang said.
He added that China also hopes Cambodia will continue to enhance protection for Chinese citizens and projects in the country.
Cambodia highly values China's positive role in mediating the conflict, said Prak Sokhonn, citing the informal tea gathering among the foreign ministers of Cambodia, China and Thailand in Anning, Yunnan Province, as well as shuttle diplomacy conducted by China's special envoy.
Thanks to the joint efforts of China and other parties, Cambodia and Thailand were able to convene a meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission, and their militaries signed a ceasefire agreement, he said.
Sokhonn said Cambodia is ready to work with Thailand to fully implement the ceasefire agreement, make full use of existing dialogue mechanisms, and steadily build mutual trust between the two countries and their armed forces.
These steps, he noted, are vital to restoring bilateral exchanges, normalizing relations, and resolving the boundary issue at an early date.
Cambodia hopes for the early arrival of peace and expects the trilateral meeting to help rebuild lasting stability, he said.
The two sides also exchanged views on China-Cambodia relations, agreeing that under the strategic guidance of the leaders of the two countries, positive progress has been made in building an all-weather Cambodia-China community with a shared future in the new era.
The Cambodian side expressed gratitude for China's support and assistance to its development, describing China as its most reliable and trusted partner. It reaffirmed its adherence to the one-China principle, its opposition to Taiwan secessionism, and its support for China's reunification cause.
China will deliver humanitarian aid to Cambodia for displaced people along border: Chinese FM
