Two Egyptian security sources said that there was work underway to convince Hamas to accept a one-month Gaza truce to be followed by a permanent ceasefire, Reuters reports.

However, Hamas is requesting guarantees that the second phase of the deal would be carried out, in order to agree to the initial truce, the sources said.

The sources did not provide details of what such guarantees might consist of.

Asked about the negotiations, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri told Reuters on Monday the organisation was open to discussing ideas but that no deal was yet in place.

“We are open to all initiatives and proposals, but any agreement must be based on ending the aggression and the occupation’s complete pullout from Gaza Strip,” said Abu Zuhri.