Israel is moving towards a ceasefire with Hamas in Gaza, as several military objectives have been achieved

Cease-fire negotiations mediated by Egypt can begin today, senior Israeli officials told a local news agency Walla.

Israeli soldiers fire a 155mm self-propelled howitzer at the Gaza Strip from their position on the border with the Palestinian enclave on May 16, 2021. JACK GEZ/AFP via Getty Images

According to the report of the Israeli mass media Walla, Israel will begin moving toward a ceasefire now that several military goals have been achieved against Hamas, reports businessinsider.

Walla reported that negotiations on a ceasefire can begin today (Sunday) with the mediation of Egypt.

According to unnamed Israeli sources, the military believes that airstrikes in Gaza have achieved specific military goals. Officials added that the Israeli government does not want to move toward a ground invasion. 

According to the Walla, Israel's willingness to negotiate a cease-fire in Gaza is due in part to growing international pressure encouraged by President Joe Biden and the worsening humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will assess the situation with Defense Minister Benny Gantz, Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Aviv Kohava and high-ranking representatives of the security service, according to the media.

Since Monday, the IDF has carried out hundreds of airstrikes in the Gaza Strip, including on the media building, which houses the offices of the Associated Press and Al Jazeera.

The Israeli military said that they were targeting terrorist targets. The main leader of Hamas in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, was killed in an airstrike in the city of Khan Yonis, reports CBS News.

But the airstrikes resulted in casualties among the civilian population. The deadliest attack occurred on Sunday, when an air strike destroyed three buildings and killed at least 26 people, reports CBS News.

As reported by The Financial Times, Palestinian officials say that since the official beginning of the conflict on Monday, at least 181 people have been killed, including 83 women and children.

Israel reported 10 deaths, including two children, as a result of rocket fire in the country.

International pressure on Israel is steadily increasing to end the violence, and Free Palestine protests are taking place around the world.