US efforts to broker a ceasefire in Gaza are gathering pace, with Secretary of State John Kerry visiting Egypt.
He has called on Hamas to accept an offer from Cairo to attend talks on negotiating a truce.
Egypt has played the role of Middle East mediator in the past.
“Hamas has a fundamental choice to make, and it is a choice that will have a profound impact for the people of Gaza”, said US Secretary of State John Kerry.
The US mission will be difficult, with Hamas already rejecting Egypt’s initiative as not going far enough to address their key issues.
Reporting from Cairo for euronews, Mohammed Shaikhibrahim said:
“Huge diplomatic efforts are taking place in Cairo, but they’re matched by many significant obstacles blocking a cease-fire agreement. The main challenges are the intransigence of both sides and the different influences of regional powers on the Gaza issue.”
