CAIRO, August 11. /ITAR-TASS/. Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have started Egypt-brokered indirect talks in Cairo on ending a month-old conflict in Gaza, the Egyptian MENA news agency said on Monday.

A new 72-hour ceasefire took effect in the enclave on Sunday evening ahead of the talks.

Hamas is demanding an end to the 2006 blockade of the Gaza Strip, while Israel is seeking demilitarisation of the enclave.

Last Friday, the Israeli delegation left the Egyptian capital city after the previous 72-hour truce had expired. Israel insisted on the disarmament of armed groups active in the Gaza Strip, while Palestinians refused to do that. Apart from that, the Israeli side was categorically against any talks under fire.