Negotiations in Cairo between Israel and Hamas to reach a ceasefire and hostage deal have achieved “significant progress” and consensus on many controversial points, according to Egyptian state outlet Al Qahera News, confirming that there has been a “continuation of efforts to reach a truce agreement” in Gaza.

“The round of negotiations in Cairo is witnessing great progress in bringing points of view closer together,” Al Qahera said, adding that there had been an agreement on “basic axes between all parties.”

The source said the Qatari and Hamas delegations would leave Cairo and return within two days to agree to the final terms of the agreement. The United States and Israeli delegations would leave within hours, though consultations would continue over the next 48 hours. 

Hamas said Sunday that it would like to see a “complete cessation of aggression.” The group also reiterated its demands, including a withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza, the return of displaced Palestinians to their homes, reconstruction of the damage in Gaza from Israel’s military and a prisoner exchange deal involving a mutual release of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages held in Gaza. Israel has repeatedly called Hamas’ demands delusional.

The Israel Defense Forces is “far from stopping” military operations in the Gaza Strip, said chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, at a news conference Sunday. “We will not leave any Hamas brigades active, in any part of the Gaza Strip. We have plans and will act when we decide,” he said, adding that the military’s goals in Gaza have not been fully achieved. This includes the return of all hostages, the return of displaced residents to the north, and the dismantling of Hamas throughout the enclave. 

In response to a question about the military’s withdrawal of ground forces from Khan Younis in southern Gaza, Halevi claimed Hamas’ military wing had been diminished to operating as “small terrorist cells.” He reiterated that the IDF has not left the Gaza Strip and that there are “many troops [there] at this very hour.” The country’s defense minister made similar remarks earlier Sunday, saying the withdrawing troops will regroup and then prepare for new missions, including in Rafah.