<p><span>Talks on a ceasefire in </span><span><u>the Gaza Strip </u></span><span>are expected to resume this week, with several officials saying the devastation caused by </span><span>Israel's nine-month offensive has likely pushed Hamas to soften its demands. </span></p><p><span>Hamas over the weekend appeared to drop its long-standing demand that Israel must promise to end the war as part of any ceasefire deal. </span><br><span>The sudden shift has raised new hopes for progress in the </span><span><u>internationally brokered negotiations</u></span><span>. </span><br><span>Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office says a team of negotiators will resume talks this week with Hamas, but that there are still gaps</span><br><span>between the parties. </span><br><span>I'm Charles de Ledesma.</span></p>
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