TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) A Hamas delegation was in Cairo on Saturday as Egyptian state media reported noticeable progress in cease-fire talks for Gaza. But Israel hasnt sent a delegation and a senior Israeli official downplayed prospects for a full end to the war while emphasizing the commitment to invading Rafah.

Pressure has mounted to reach a deal halting the nearly 7-month-long war . A top U.N. official says there is now a full-blown famine in northern Gaza , while the United States has repeatedly warned close ally Israel about its planned offensive into Rafah , the southernmost city on the border with Egypt, where more than 1 million Palestinians are sheltering.

Egyptian and U.S. mediators have reported signs of compromise in recent days, but chances for a cease-fire deal remain entangled with the key question of whether Israel will accept an end to the war without reaching its stated goal of destroying the militant group Hamas.

Egypts state-owned Al-Qahera News TV channel said that a consensus had been reached over many disputed points but did not elaborate. Hamas has called for a complete end to the war and withdrawal of all Israeli forces from Gaza.