Negotiations for cessation of fighting temporarily halted; Israeli prime minister emphasizes continued offensive. Hamas announced in a statement on the 7th that negotiations that were being held in Egypt, the intermediary country, had been temporarily suspended.
Some Arab media have reported that negotiations are expected to resume on the 10th, but while Hamas has called for a lasting ceasefire, Israel has refused, and an agreement could not be reached before Ramadan. There is growing concern in the international community as this will lead to a deterioration of the humanitarian situation.