Hamas ready to begin new round of Gaza truce talks amid calls for peace

Hamas said on Sunday that it affirms its readiness to immediately begin indirect negotiations over the Gaza ceasefire.

In a press statement, Hamas expressed its appreciation for the continued efforts by Qatar and Egypt to broker a ceasefire agreement, saying that it is ready to "immediately begin a round of indirect negotiations" to address the outstanding issues with "the other party."

Hamas said the objective of the talks would be to end the "humanitarian catastrophe" in Gaza, ensure the delivery of relief aid to the Palestinian people, and achieve a permanent ceasefire accompanied by the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip.

There has been no immediate comment from the Israeli side regarding the Hamas announcement.

However, Israeli army chief Eyal Zamir has ordered the expansion of the ground operation into additional areas in both the southern and northern parts of the Gaza Strip, according to a statement issued by the Israel Defense Forces.

Zamir stated that the expansion of activity will continue until conditions are created for the return of the Israeli hostages and the decisive defeat of Hamas.

Egypt and Qatar pledged on Sunday to continue intensive efforts to facilitate a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.

A joint statement released by the foreign ministries of both countries said that they look forward to swiftly reaching an initial 60-day temporary ceasefire agreement, which would pave the way for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

The statement also emphasized that the ultimate goal is to end the war in Gaza and begin reconstruction.

Meanwhile, a delegation of the Arab-Islamic Ministerial Committee on Sunday reaffirmed its continued efforts to stop the Israeli war in Gaza and launch a process to secure the Palestinian people's right to an independent, sovereign state on their national territory.

At a press conference following the meeting, the delegation highlighted the two-state solution as the only path to a just and comprehensive peace in the region.

The Arab ministers also vowed to intensify efforts to encourage more countries to recognize the State of Palestine.

Amid the uncertain ceasefire prospects, Gaza's health ministry said that more than 30 Palestinians were killed and nearly 170 injured on Sunday in south Gaza near a U.S.-backed food distribution site.

Witnesses told Reuters that Israeli soldiers fired on people trying to collect aid and Israel denied it.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said its field hospital in Rafah received 179 casualties, most with gunshot or shrapnel wounds.

"All patients said they had been trying to reach an aid distribution site. This is the highest number of weapon-wounded in a single incident since the establishment of the field hospital over a year ago," ICRC said.

(With input from agencies)