Gaza truce talks to resume Sunday in Cairo

American, Israeli and Hamas negotiators are set to arrive in Cairo over the weekend in a renewed push for a ceasefire and hostage release deal in a war that reaches the half-year mark on Sunday, AFP reports.

Egypt's Al-Qahera News said CIA Director Bill Burns and Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani would join Egyptian mediators for Sunday's indirect talks between the Israeli and Hamas delegations. The Hamas delegation will reportedly be led by Deputy Chief Khalil Al-Hayya.

Hamas affirmed in a statement on Saturday their adherence to their demands for a deal, which they presented on March 14. These include a permanent ceasefire, complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, and the return of displaced individuals to their areas of residence, particularly in northern Gaza. 

"We will not back down from this position," emphasized Hamas.

The ceasefire attempt comes after Israel's military made a rare admission of wrongdoing over the killing of seven aid workers in Gaza where humanitarians say famine is imminent.