Egypt calls for open-ended Gaza cease-fire, asks Palestinians, Israel to resume indirect talks

Palestinians chant Islamic slogans while carrying the body of Ibrahim Hamad, an Islamic Jihad militant, during his funeral in Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday, Aug. 22, 2014. Hamad was killed in an Israeli strike while riding a motorcycle Thursday night in Rafah, according to Gaza health official Ashraf al-Kidra. (AP Photo/Hatem Ali)

ASSOCIATED PRESS

Palestinian protesters face Israeli soldiers during clashes, following a protest against the Israeli military action in Gaza.

CAIRO — Egypt has called for an open-ended cease-fire in Gaza, urging the Palestinians and Israel to return to indirect talks.

The foreign ministry statement Saturday came shortly after Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi.

A temporary cease-fire collapsed earlier this week, bringing the Cairo talks so a halt. More than 2,090 Palestinians, including close to 500 children, have been killed since the war began on July 8.

Israel has lost 64 soldiers and four civilians, including a 4-year-old boy killed by a mortar shell Friday.

The war has caused widespread destruction in Gaza, leaving some 100,000 people homeless.