Gaza Conflict: No Deal In Sight As Cease-Fire Deadline Looms

The clock is ticking on a new cease-fire deal between Israel and the Palestinians as the current truce is set to end Monday night. Hamas and Israel remain far apart on a new peace deal in talks brokered by Egyptian officials.

The current five-day truce began on Wednesday, but is set to expire Monday at 2100 GMT (5 p.m. EDT), reports Reuters. A Palestinian official, speaking on the condition of anonymity to Egypt's state-run news agency MENA, said the two sides are holding firm on their demands on the last day of the cease-fire. The talks suffered setbacks as Israel continues to stress the need for long-term security measures. On Sunday, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there would be no long-term peace if rocket fire continues from Hamas militants. "Only if there is a clear answer to Israel's security needs, only then will we agree to reach an understanding," Netanyahu said.

Based on Israel's stance on security, the Palestinian official said the Gaza talks were a "retreat from what had already been achieved and discussions had returned to square one," reports Reuters.

The Palestinian Health Ministry put the current death toll at 2,016 with another 10,196 wounded, reports Agence France-Presse. Israel has confirmed 64 soldiers have been killed during the conflict.