GAZA CITY, Palestine

Palestinian group Hamas has cited progress in talks with Egypt regarding a cease-fire with Israel and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

A Hamas delegation held talks on Monday with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel to discuss a host of issues, a Hamas source said.

“Progress has been made regarding the cease-fire understandings, accelerating the reconstruction process and easing the blockade,” the source told Anadolu Agency.

The source said the two sides agreed on the necessity of consolidating the cease-fire with Israel.

According to the source, Egypt pledged to take further steps to improve the economic situation in Gaza and allow the entry of goods via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt.

The talks between the Hamas delegation and the Egyptian intelligence chief also dwelt on the situation in Jerusalem and Palestinian developments, the source said.

There was no comment from either Egypt or Hamas on the report.

On Sunday, a high-level Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo to discuss with Egyptian officials the situation in Gaza.

Home to more than 2 million people, the Gaza Strip has been reeling under a crippling Israeli siege since 2007, badly affecting livelihood in the seaside enclave.

* Writing by Ahmed Asmar in Ankara