Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya on Sunday, Feb 17, confirmed that the movement is conducting indirect talks with Israel over the implementation of the ceasefire deal agreed upon following Operation Pillar of Defense, The Jerusalem Post reported citing Palestinian news agency Ma'an.

However, he stressed that these talks cannot be described as political negotiations, according to the report.

Over the weekend the Egyptian website Al-Shorouk reported that an Israeli delegation departed from Cairo on Thursday evening after meeting Egyptian officials to discuss security issues in Sinai, the alleged Israeli strike in Syria, and the Israeli-Palestinian peace process.