CAIRO
There has been no breakthrough in indirect Palestinian-Israeli negotiations on a durable ceasefire in the Gaza Strip yet, according to members of the Palestinian delegation.
"All files are still open," Qais Abdel-Karim, one of the Palestinian negotiators, told Anadolu Agency Wednesday.
"We have not reached a decision on any of these files yet," he added.
Abdel-Karim described Wednesday as a "decisive day" to determine whether the two sides would reach a deal on Gaza or not.
"We have told Egyptian intermediaries that we want to reach a settlement for all issues before the current 72-hour ceasefire expires," said Abdel-Karim.
An Egyptian-brokered three-day ceasefire expires by the end of Wednesday.
At least 1944 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 67 Israelis, mostly troops, have been killed since Israel unleashed its latest military offensive against the blockaded Gaza Strip.
The Palestinian negotiators are studying a framework agreement proposed by the Egyptian intermediaries.
Sources close to the Palestinian delegation said the deal includes proposals for opening Gaza crossings; guaranteeing the flow of humanitarian aid to the besieged coastal enclave; the reconstruction of bombed-out Gaza; paying the salaries of Gaza's civil servants, and expanding the fishing area off Gaza's coast.
The sources said if an agreement is reached, there will be Egyptian and American guarantees for Israel's abidance by the terms of the deal.
Khaled al-Butch, another member of the Palestinian delegation, told AA that the two sides are expected to respond to the framework agreement on Wednesday.
By Hazem Badr
www.aa.com.tr/en
