Israel offers Gaza truce extension but Hamas has yet to agree

Israel has offered to extend a three-day ceasefire in Gaza which began on Tuesday after nearly a month of conflict, the BBC reported, citing Israeli officials.

But there has so far been no agreement from the militant Hamas movement, which controls Gaza, as indirect talks continue in Cairo.

US President Barack Obama has said a more durable truce requires risks being taken by leaders on both sides.

He said trust needs to rebuilt, which was difficult after a time of violence.

"Long term, there has to be a recognition that Gaza cannot sustain itself permanently closed off from the world," said the US president, speaking in Washington.

More than 1,800 Palestinians, mostly civilians, and 67 Israelis, mainly soldiers, have died in the conflict.

A Thai national in Israel was also killed.

A senior Israeli official told the BBC Israel had expressed its readiness to extend the truce under its current terms beyond its expiry on Friday.

However, a member of the Palestinian delegation at the Cairo talks, Moussa Abu Marzouk, wrote on Twitter: "There is no agreement to extend the ceasefire."