Israel to send delegation to Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks; Hamas calls it 'empty statements'

Jerusalem: An Israeli delegation will travel to Cairo in the coming days for negotiations to reach a Gaza ceasefire and hostage release deal, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said on Friday.

"The negotiating team for a hostage deal will depart for Cairo on Saturday night or on Sunday," his office said.

Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri commented on the announcement, telling Reuters, "Netanyahu does not want to stop the war and is using these empty statements to cover up his crimes and evade their consequences."