<p>The Islamic Hamas movement denied Wednesday that the Palestinian factions of the group have agreed to extend a 72-hour Egyptian mediated ceasefire between Palestinian militant groups and Israel.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"The issue of extending the ceasefire was not raised during the discussions in Cairo," Xinhua quoted Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zohri as saying.<br /><br />Earlier Wednesday, Israel has expressed its readiness to extend the truce, which will end Friday morning, under its current terms.<br /><br />Egypt is mediating indirect discussions between Israel and Palestinian factions including Hamas movement, to reach a long- term ceasefire to end a bloody conflict following a 72-hour truce. Egypt has urged both sides to extend the ceasefire in a bid to win time and tackle all complaints and demands.<br /><br />The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Wednesday pledged full commitment to support Gaza's recovery from a month-long fighting between Israel and Hamas, calling for efforts to address the root causes of the conflict.<br /><br />Israel stepped up a massive military operation in Gaza July 8 in order to halt Palestinian rocket fire.<br /><br />The cross-border violence has so far killed around 1,900 Palestinians and 67 Israelis, including 64 soldiers.</p>
<p>The Islamic Hamas movement denied Wednesday that the Palestinian factions of the group have agreed to extend a 72-hour Egyptian mediated ceasefire between Palestinian militant groups and Israel.<br /><br /></p>.<p>"The issue of extending the ceasefire was not raised during the discussions in Cairo," Xinhua quoted Hamas spokesman Sami Abu Zohri as saying.<br /><br />Earlier Wednesday, Israel has expressed its readiness to extend the truce, which will end Friday morning, under its current terms.<br /><br />Egypt is mediating indirect discussions between Israel and Palestinian factions including Hamas movement, to reach a long- term ceasefire to end a bloody conflict following a 72-hour truce. Egypt has urged both sides to extend the ceasefire in a bid to win time and tackle all complaints and demands.<br /><br />The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Wednesday pledged full commitment to support Gaza's recovery from a month-long fighting between Israel and Hamas, calling for efforts to address the root causes of the conflict.<br /><br />Israel stepped up a massive military operation in Gaza July 8 in order to halt Palestinian rocket fire.<br /><br />The cross-border violence has so far killed around 1,900 Palestinians and 67 Israelis, including 64 soldiers.</p>