Chronology of recent twists in Gaza ceasefire talks

Within days, hopes for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip have increased, been dashed and reignited, without any clear explanation.

The confusion was perhaps never more apparent than on Monday, when Hamas claimed to have accepted the terms of a ceasefire, while Israel – a week after making concessions in hopes of an agreement – ordered civilians in the southern Gaza city of Rafah to evacuate and the air raids there are escalating.

Here's a look at the recent staggering turn of events.

Israeli officials, offering a hint of hope for an agreement said their negotiators had reduced the number of hostages Hamas wanted to release during the first phase of a ceasefire.

A Hamas leader said the group would do so soon send a delegation to Cairo to conclude “ongoing discussions” on a ceasefire.

While talks are ongoing, a senior Hamas official said said in a text message that the group's representatives had arrived in Cairo for the talks “with great positivity” about the latest proposal.

The conversations – which are conducted indirectly, through mediators – reached an impasseand Hamas said its delegation had left Cairo. An Israeli official described the negotiations as a “crisis.”

Late in the day, Hamas rockets launched at a border crossing between Gaza and Israel, killing four Israeli soldiers. Israel has stepped up its attacks in Gaza.

Hamas said it accepted the terms of a ceasefire – not as set out in Israel's proposal, but based on a proposal from Egypt and Qatar.

The timing seemed remarkable. The announcement was made afterwards Israel had ordered people to evacuate from some areas in Rafah, a sign that Israeli forces are about to launch a long-awaited invasion of the refugee-filled city. Late in the day, the Israeli army said it was carrying out “targeted attacks” in eastern Rafah.

The strikes may prove to be an attempt to increase pressure on Hamas negotiators. Late in the day, the Israeli prime minister's office, in line with a week of conflicting signals, said Hamas's latest ceasefire proposal was unsatisfactory.

It was then said that a working-level delegation would be sent back to the Cairo talks anyway.