A fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip entered its second day Wednesday, as Palestinian and Israeli delegations began talks in Cairo in an effort to extend the 72-hour truce

A fragile ceasefire in the Gaza Strip entered its second day Wednesday, as Palestinian and Israeli delegations began talks in Cairo in an effort to extend the 72-hour truce.

After nearly one month of fighting, the ceasefire, which came into effect Tuesday, has allowed civilians to return to their homes and check the damage caused by Israeli military strikes.

It is the second time in four days the two sides have agreed to observe a 72-hour humanitarian truce. The previous attempt on August 1 - brokered by Washington and the UN - was shattered after just 90 minutes.

Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Malki says he expects "the ceasefire to expand into another 72 hours and beyond."

Officials on both sides of the conflict have sent small teams to Cairo for tough talks aimed at securing a permanent ceasefire, after the three-day window closes.

The talks are expected to be challenging as Palestine insists the Zionist entity end its eight year blockade on Gaza and open border crossings, while Israel wants Gaza fully demilitarized.

The United States is also due to take part in the talks.

"We are determining at what level and in what capacity and when," State Department spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters in Washington.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian health ministry said 1,875 Palestinians have been killed during the conflict, while the UN says at least 1,312 of the martyrs were civilians.

In the West Bank city of Ramallah, deputy economy minister Taysir Amro said the 29-day war has caused damage of up to $6 billion.