International mediators were with Hamas negotiators in Cairo for talks on a truce to pause nearly five months of fighting in Gaza before the Muslim holy month of Ramazan, which begins early next week, AFP reports.

Envoys from the Palestinian militant group and the United States were expected to meet with Qatari and Egyptian mediators for a third day of negotiations on a six-week truce, the exchange of dozens of remaining hostages for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners and increased aid to Gaza.

Israeli negotiators have so far stayed away from the talks, despite growing diplomatic pressure for a truce to take effect before Ramadan.

Israeli media reported that the country’s negotiating team boycotted the talks after Hamas did not provide a list of living hostages.

Senior Hamas leader Bassem Naim told AFP that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was to blame for obstructing the talks and said it was for the United States to stop the conflict before Ramazan, saying the “ball is in their court”.