Isreal envoy plans ‘decisive’ cease-fire talks in Egypt

Israel’s chief negotiator will go to Egypt for “decisive” talks on a cease-fire with Hamas, officials said Tuesday.

With international outrage mounting over the toll on Gaza’s civilians, Israel’s decision to send Defense Ministry official Amos Gilad to Egypt on Thursday could be a signal of progress. Gilad had postponed the trip for days.

Diplomatic efforts to end 18 days of fighting have moved slowly, in part because of the wide gaps between Israel and Hamas, who do not negotiate directly.

Israel says it will push forward with the offensive until Hamas ends all rocket fire on southern Israel, and there are guarantees the Iranian-backed militant group will stop smuggling weapons into Gaza through the porous Egyptian border.

Israeli military officials say that depending on what happens with what they described as “decisive” talks in Cairo, Israel will either move closer to a cease-fire or press on with an even tougher stage of its offensive. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they were discussing sensitive policy matters.

Hamas has said it will only observe a cease-fire if Israel withdraws from Gaza.