Gaza City  - A delegation from Hamas will visit Egypt early next week for more discussions on achieving a ceasefire deal between the Palestinian movement and Israel in the Gaza Strip, a Hamas spokesman said on Saturday.

The visit to Cairo on Monday is aimed at outlining the mechanisms for implementing the reduction in hostilities and the time to put it into effect, Ayman Taha told reporters in Gaza.

He added that Hamas had learnt that Israel had made "an initial acceptance" of the Egyptian ceasefire offer, which the Palestinian factions, led by Hamas, have already approved.

Last week, Egyptian Intelligence Chief Omar Suleiman visited Israel to present the offer.

Israel linked the ceasefire to a resolution of the issue of Gilad Shalit, a soldier held hostage by Hamas in Gaza since June 2006. (dpa)