Israeli Police at scene of a rocket explosion in southern Israel. Photo: IDF Spokesperson

According to a report from Al-Arabiya – a Saudi television network headquarted in Dubai –  Egypt has demanded a ceasefire from Hamas and other Palestinian factions operating inside Gaza, in return for allowing Egyptian fuel into the Gaza Strip. However,  Israeli officials denied a deal was reached, saying that airstrikes in Gaza will be halted only once rocket attacks end.

The agreement for a ceasefire has not been announced officially in any capacity, but the Al-Arabiya report states that Yunis Al-Estelle, a Hamas leader, was offered Egyptian fuel by UN Special Envoy Robert Serry, in return for a stoppage of rocket fire into Israel, and that the Palestinian factions responsible for hitting Southern Israel with rockets since last Friday have agreed in principle to the offer.

The Algemeiner reported in February that Egypt cut the supply of fuel entering into Gaza, which was among the reasons that the only power plant inside the Hamas controlled territory to shut down. Gaza receives nearly 60% of the fuel needed to keep the plant going from their Egyptian neighbors, while  Israel supplies most of the remaining fuel.

Earlier on Monday, Hamas was reportedly at odds with another Palestinian terror group, Islamic Jihad, regarding whether or not to consider a ceasefire with Israel.

Israel has always maintained that Hamas is responsible for all rockets fired into the Jewish State from Gaza.