JAKARTA - A senior Hamas official foresees a ceasefire in the coming days with Israel, although the two sides are still exchanging attacks on the border on Thursday, May 20.
US President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek de-escalation on Wednesday, to bring about a ceasefire.
Meanwhile, an Egyptian security source said the two sides had agreed in principle to a ceasefire, after assistance from the mediator but details of the deal were still being negotiated in secret.
"I think the ongoing efforts regarding the ceasefire will be successful", Hamas political official Moussa Abu Marzouk told Lebanon's al-Mayadeen TV, as quoted by Reuters Thursday, May 20.
"I hope a ceasefire is reached within a day or two, and the ceasefire will be based on mutual agreement", he continued.
Qatar-based Al Jazeera television reported that UN Middle East peace envoy Tor Wennesland met Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh in Qatar. However, fighting continued with Israel and Islamic militants voiced dissent.
Israel carried out more than a dozen airstrikes on Gaza after midnight, including two that destroyed two homes in the southern enclave. Medics said four people were injured in an airstrike in the town of Khan Younis in southern Gaza.
The Israeli military said late Wednesday it had targeted what it said were Hamas' multi-barrel rocket launch sites and air defense complexes.
Early Thursday, rocket sirens wailed in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba and the areas bordering Gaza. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.
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To note, since fighting began on May 10, Palestinian health officials said 228 people had died in the aerial bombardment which worsened Gaza's already dire humanitarian situation.
Israeli authorities put the death toll to date at 12 in Israel, where repeated rocket attacks have caused panic and sent people rushing to shelters.
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