Israel and Palestine agreed to extend a cease-fire by 24 hours just before midnight on Monday, Reuters reports.

The new truce to the Gaza conflict came just minutes after the original truce, negotiated with the help of Egypt, was set to expire, officials from both sides said.

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The negotiations have been strained. An Egyptian official told Radio Sawa that until Monday afternoon, the talks were at a complete standstill.

Reuters reports that the Israeli and Hamas delegations have not even met face to face in Cairo, choosing instead for Egyptian mediators to go back and forth between separate rooms to relay messages.

Despite the strenuous talks, Israel and Palestine reached an agreement to extend the truce in order to complete negotiations, a Palestinian official said.

Among the issues agreed to are extending maritime limits in the Mediterranean for fishing and opening Gaza's crossing to allow more goods into the area.

According to Tarek Fahmi, head of the Israeli Unit at the Egyptian National Center for Middle East Studies, the main point of contention is Hamas' demands for an airport and seaport in Gaza.

Hamas is looking to rebuild an airport that was destroyed in the conflict, and to create a seaport for trade.

While Israel demands a demilitarizing of the Gaza Strip, Hamas has not budged on that point, Fahmi said.

"If Israel once again insists on demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, then their corrected document will be deemed unacceptable," said Qais Abd al-Karim, member of the Palestinian delegation involved in the Cairo talks.

Both sides are ready to resume fighting should talks fail, Reuters reports.

"If they shoot at us, we will respond," Israeli Justice Minister Tzipi Livni explained to Israel Radio.

Israel views Hamas as a terrorist organization due to Hamas' call within its founding charter for the destruction of Israel.

TagsHamas, Israel, Israel-Gaza crisis, Gaza, Gaza Strip, Egypt, Cairo, Palestine, negotiations for cease fire