Cairo, Egypt

West Asia is desperate to finalise a deal to de-escalate tensions in the region amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation and fears looming over the expansion of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas, with Egyptian sources revealing details about the US-drafted proposal for a temporary truce. While speaking to the Al-Araby Al-Jadeed news outlet, sources also mentioned a hostage release deal which is apparently currently being examined by Israel and Hamas. However, even as a positive outcome is awaited, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Monday that a date has been set for an Israeli invasion of Rafah. 

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Israeli and Hamas teams reached Egypt on Sunday after CIA Director William Burns arrived on Saturday. Leaders from across the world, especially the United States, have been vying to reach a deal amid rising Palestinian civilian deaths. Truce calls intensified after the recent attack on aid workers, which killed seven. 

Also read: Israel kills senior Hezbollah commander in strike on southern Lebanon 

"There is no change in the position of the occupation (Israel) and therefore, there is nothing new in the Cairo talks. There is no progress yet," the Hamas official, who asked not to be identified, told Reuters. 

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So far in the six-month-long war, about 33,207 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza's health ministry said in an update on Monday. Most of the enclave's 2.3 million people are homeless and many at risk of famine. 

Also read: Israel's withdrawal from south Gaza not indicative of new operations, says US 

Watch: Gravitas | Gaza War: Is Israel about to open a new front in the war with Iran? 

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Invasion of Rafah 

Netanyahu said on Monday that Israel has set a date for an Israeli invasion of Rafah, which is Gaza's last refuge for displaced Palestinians. He, however, didn't disclose that date. 

"Today I received a detailed report on the talks in Cairo, we are constantly working to achieve our goals, first and foremost the release of all our hostages and achieving a complete victory over Hamas," Netanyahu said. 

"This victory requires entry into Rafah and the elimination of the terrorist battalions there. It will happen - there is a date," he added. 

Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. 

(With inputs from agencies)