Palestinians set to hold briefing in Cairo as Israeli team reportedly returns home from truce talks

Netanyahu, Obama discuss cease-fire efforts; Hamas leader Haniyeh urges Palestinian delegates not to "succumb to blackmail" in cease-fire talks, says no permanent truce unless Gaza "siege lifted."

By JPOST.COM STAFF, KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Cease fire talks in Cairo (photo credit: REUTERS)
Cease fire talks in Cairo
(photo credit: REUTERS)
The Palestinians delegation to Egyptian-mediated cease-fire talks with Israel was set to hold a press conference in Cairo at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday reportedly in regard to Egypt's proposal to extend by 72-hours the temporary cease-fire set to expire at midnight.
According to Channel 2, the Israeli team was returning home from the indirect negotiations in the Egyptian capital.
Meanwhile, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh urged the Palestinian negotiating team in Cairo not to "succumb to blackmail" in talks on a cease-fire with Israel.
Haniyeh reiterated that Hamas would only agree to a permanent cease-fire if the "siege" was lifted on the Gaza Strip.
Also on Wednesday evening, US President Barack Obama spoke by telephone with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu about the cease-fire in Gaza, a White House spokesman said.
The threat of renewed fighting loomed as it remained uncertain whether Israeli and Palestinian negotiators engaged in indirect talks in Cairo would forge a long-term truce to take effect following the temporary one.
Israel was bracing for the possibility of resumed rocket attacks in the event that cease-fire negotiations break down, the IDF was mobilizing forces along the border with Gaza, Channel 2 reported.
The military was also reportedly calling up addition reservists to bolsters the soldiers positioned near the Gaza border.
Reuters contributed to this report.