The leader of Hamas is expected in Cairo today for talks on a proposed truce in Gaza, as Israel has kept up its offensive in the besieged Palestinian territory, AFP reports.

As Qatari and Egyptian-led mediation efforts intensified, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is due in Cairo today to discuss a truce proposal thrashed out in Paris last weekend with CIA chief William Burns.

A Hamas source told AFP the three-stage plan would start with an initial six-week halt to the fighting that would see more aid deliveries into the Gaza Strip.

Only “women, children and sick men over 60” held by Gaza fighters would be freed during that stage in exchange for Palestinian prisoners in Israel, the source said, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of the talks.

There would also be “negotiations around the withdrawal of Israeli forces”, with possible additional phases involving more hostage-prisoner exchanges, said the source, adding the territory’s rebuilding was also among issues addressed by the deal.