Gaza truce in 2nd day amid Cairo talks

A ceasefire in the besieged Gaza Strip has entered its second day while Israeli and Palestinian delegations in the Egyptian capital of Cairo prepare for talks in a bid to extend the 72-hour truce.

The ceasefire, which came into effect on Tuesday, has brought relief after a month of heavy Israeli bombardment of the densely-populated Gaza Strip. The Israeli strikes have killed nearly 1,880 people and injured over 9,500 others.

Meanwhile, Senior Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, says the month-long resistance against the massive Israeli onslaught has so far brought victory to the Palestinian resistance forces.

Haniyeh further stated on Tuesday that he fully backs the Palestinian delegation in Cairo.

The Hamas official also emphasized that Palestinians demand an end to the seven-year Israeli blockade of Gaza as a pre-requisite for a permanent truce.

Israeli representatives are also in Egypt for the ceasefire negotiations.

The Tel Aviv regime has already pulled its military forces out of Gaza.

The talks will be held indirectly with Egyptian officials serving as intermediaries.

The development comes as Palestinian Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki said he expects the ceasefire to expand into another 72 hours and possibly beyond.