Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly heads to Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks

17 December 2024, 14:39 | Updated: 17 December 2024, 16:23

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks, Reuters has said.

There are conflicting reports over the Israeli leader's movements and how close a ceasefire is. Still, the news agency added that a deal is expected to be signed in the coming days, citing sources briefed on the meetings.

However, this would not be the first time there have been positive noises about a potential ceasefire, only for talks to break down.

Meanwhile, Hamas said a ceasefire deal is possible but only if Israel did not set new conditions.

This comes after the number of deaths in Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war, according to Palestinian officials, passed 45,000 people this week.

Israeli media outlet Haaretz reported a spokesperson for the prime minister denied the claims he was headed to Egypt.

Amid the conflicting reports, White House spokesperson John Kirby said in an interview with Fox News they believed the parties were getting closer to the long-awaited ceasefire.

He told the US broadcaster: "We believe - and the Israelis have said this - that we're getting closer, and no doubt about it, we believe that, but we also are cautious in our optimism.

"We've been in this position before where we weren't able to get it over the finish line."

Mr Kirby did not respond when asked if Mr Netanyahu was travelling to Cairo for talks.

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Egyptian state-affiliated Al Qahera News TV also refuted claims of Mr Netanyahu's trip to Egypt, citing an "informed Egyptian source".

Mr Netanyahu was supposed to originally be in court on Tuesday over his ongoing bribery and fraud trial, but on Monday he was given an exemption for proceedings citing exceptional circumstances - without any details being received.

(c) Sky News 2024: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly heads to Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks