介绍:
The clock is ticking toward the end of an extension of the current ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
Through the Egyptians, both sides extended the truce until midnight Tuesday local time.
The additional 24-hours is giving negotiators an opportunity to try to broker a long-term end to the fighting.
Azzam al-Ahmad is the head of the Palestinian delegation at the ceasefire talks in Cairo.
"We agreed to extend the ceasefire for just one day. Tomorrow we will agree or we will not agree. We hope to use every minute of the next 24 hours to reach an agreement, or else the cycle of violence will continue."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is also warning Israeli forces will hit back hard if Hamas resumes rocket fire into Israel.
"The IDF (Israel Defence Forces) is prepared for very strong action if fire is resumed. In the stormy Middle East, one needs a combination of strength and patience. The combination of persistence and strength will assist us in achieving the goal of this operation - quiet and security for all Israelis."
There are some reports coming out of Egypt suggesting a limited deal for a more permanent truce will be announced before this latest extension comes to an end.
For more on this, we spoke earlier with Li Guofu, a Senior Research Fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.
Li Guofu, Senior Research Fellow with the China Institute of International Studies.
