Mediators, Hamas resume ceasefire talks in Cairo

Despite Israeli refusals to engage since talks stalled late last month, Egypt says it is "working very hard" with Qatar and the United States to reach a 60-day ceasefire as part of renewed efforts to ease the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

Middle Eastern media outlets have reported that Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya was due in Cairo on Wednesday to meet Egyptian officials for talks.

"We are working very hard now in full cooperation with the Qataris and Americans," Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said at a press conference in Cairo on Tuesday.

"Our main objective is to go back to the original proposal to have a ceasefire for 60 days with the release of some hostages and some Palestinian detainees, and [for] the flow of humanitarian and medical assistance to Gaza without conditions, without restrictions."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the possibility of reaching a partial agreement "is behind us" and rejected accusations from opposition figures and former senior military officials that he was dragging his feet in the war, according to a report by Xinhua, citing Israeli broadcaster i24.

Netanyahu reiterated that the Israeli goal remains to end the conflict, defeat Hamas, and secure the release of all hostages as part of a single final agreement "on our terms".

On Wednesday, the Times of Israel reported that Israel may send negotiators to Doha this week for meetings on a comprehensive agreement for the release of hostages held by Hamas and a ceasefire in Gaza as Arab mediators and the US also push for a final deal to end 22-months of bloodshed.

The latest round of indirect talks in Qatar ended in deadlock in late July, with Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas trading blame over a lack of progress on a US proposal for a 60-day truce and hostage release deal. Israel has demanded Hamas disarm, which Hamas has ruled out doing before a Palestinian state is established.

Israel has since said it plans to launch a new offensive to seize full control of Gaza City, while the civilian death toll from its daily bombing of the Gaza Strip continues to mount.