CAIRO, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- The talks between Egyptian mediators and representatives of Hamas on a cease-fire in the Gaza Strip have reached "positive outcome," the Egyptian MENA news agency reported on Sunday.

    The two sides have agreed that the Israeli offensive against the Palestinian enclave should be stopped as soon as possible, MENA quoted an Egyptian official source as saying on condition of anonymity.

    During the talks, Egyptian intelligence chief Omar Suleiman explained to the Hamas delegation the cease-fire plan presented by Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

    The source said the talks with the Hamas delegation will continue on Monday.

    Hamas representatives from Syria and Gaza arrived in Egypt in the past two days for talks with Egyptian officials on a cease-fire in Gaza.

    The Israeli troops has launched military operation against Gaza, which entered the 16th day on Sunday, killing more than 900 Palestinians.

    On Tuesday, during talks with visiting French President Nicolas Sarkozy, Mubarak presented a three-point proposal, which calls for an immediate cease-fire for a limited period to allow humanitarian aid to reach Gaza and give Egypt time to continue its efforts to help reach a lasting truce.

    Egypt would invite both Israel and the Palestinians for negotiation and help resume the inter-Palestinian reconciliation talks, according to the proposal.

    Egypt has also been in contacts with Israel and parties concerned for talks on the cease-fire proposal.