Israel denies reports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has rejected Reuters reports that he is heading to Cairo for Gaza ceasefire talks.

The news agency earlier said that a deal is expected to be signed in the coming days, citing sources briefed on the meetings.

However, his spokesperson messaged journalists to say: "The prime minister is not in Cairo."

Mr Netanyahu has today visited Mount Hermon on the Syrian side of the border.

While there, he said Israeli troops will occupy a buffer zone inside Syria for the foreseeable future - and "until another arrangement is found that will ensure Israel's security".

Meanwhile, Hamas said a Gaza ceasefire deal is possible but only if Israel did not set new conditions.

This comes after the number of deaths in Gaza in the Israel-Hamas war, according to Palestinian officials, passed 45,000 people this week.

White House spokesperson John Kirby has said in an interview with Fox News the US believed the parties were getting closer to the long-awaited ceasefire.

He told the broadcaster: "We believe - and the Israelis have said this - that we're getting closer, and no doubt about it, we believe that, but we also are cautious in our optimism.

"We've been in this position before where we weren't able to get it over the finish line."

Mr Kirby did not respond when asked if Mr Netanyahu was travelling to Cairo for talks.

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Egyptian state-affiliated al Qahera News TV also refuted claims of Mr Netanyahu's trip to Egypt, citing an "informed Egyptian source".

Mr Netanyahu was supposed to originally be in court on Tuesday over his ongoing bribery and fraud trial, but on Monday he was given an exemption for proceedings citing exceptional circumstances - without any details being made public.

(c) Sky News 2024: Israel denies reports Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Cairo for Gaza ceasefire ta