A senior Hamas official predicted a cease-fire within days even as Israel and Gaza militants pursued their cross-border attacks into an 11th day on Thursday, with Israeli warplanes carrying out new air strikes and Palestinians firing more rockets.
U.S. President Joe Biden urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to seek a "de-escalation" on Wednesday on the path to a cease-fire. An Egyptian security source said the sides had agreed in principle to a cease-fire after help from mediators but that details were still being negotiated in secret.
"I think that the ongoing efforts regarding the cease-fire will succeed," the Hamas political official, Moussa Abu Marzouk, told Lebanon's al-Mayadeen TV. "I expect a cease-fire to be reached within a day or two, and the cease-fire will be on the basis of mutual agreement."