Negotiations ongoing in Cairo, as al-Sissi meets CIA chief

Negotiations to reach a ceasefire in Gaza are continuing in Cairo, a state-linked media reported on Tuesday, as Egypt's president met US foreign intelligence agency CIA chief William Burns.

Negotiations are continuing as the Egyptian security delegation works intensively to bring the views of all parties closer together, al-Qahera News TV, citing a high-level source, reported.

Burns held a meeting with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi on Tuesday where they discussed joint efforts to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, the Egyptian presidency said in a statement.

Al-Sissi reiterated Egypt's position rejecting the continuation of military operations in the coastal strip.

Sources at Cairo airport said Burns left towards Qatar, while White House Middle East Coordinator Brett McGurk left Egypt heading to Israel.

Israeli media have reported that a meeting is scheduled in Doha between the intelligence chiefs of the United States, Israel and Egypt and the Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman.

So far, there has been no official confirmation of the meeting.

Qatar, the United States and Egypt have been mediating for months to achieve a ceasefire-for-hostages deal between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas. The indirect talks have been at a standstill for weeks.