Israel and Hamas signaled on Saturday they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January. Hamas said there were "positive indicators" for the start of the ceasefire's second-phase talks but did not elaborate.

Israel criticized a plan put forward by Arab states for Gaza's reconstruction on Tuesday, while Palestinian militant group Hamas welcomed it.

Israel announced on Thursday it was sending negotiators to Cairo for talks, seeking to extend a first phase of a ceasefire due to expire in two days, in the apparent aim of securing the release of more hostages while delaying any final deal on Gaza's future.

Hamas urged, in a statement on early Sunday, the "immediate" start of talks for the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal, reported Reuters. Hamas said that its delegation held discussions with the head of Egypt's general intelligence agency,

The military was supposed to begin withdrawing from that region in early March if the current ceasefire, which expires Saturday, were extended.

Egyptians have been angered by US President Donald Trump's proposal to displace Palestinians from Gaza, which has been devastated by the war between Israel and Hamas, but a video circulating online does not show the Arab nation's prime minister tearing up a copy of his country's peace agreement with Israel.

Prime Minister's Office mum on whether negotiators will discuss phase two of hostage-ceasefire deal; official says troops will remain in Gaza-Egypt border zone, defying agreement The post Israel sends delegation to Cairo for Gaza talks as ceasefire’s future put in doubt appeared first on The Times of Israel.

While the Arab League has officially endorsed the Egyptian plan, key regional players remain divided on its implementation. Notably, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and United Arab Emirates President Mohamed bin Zayed were absent from the Cairo summit, signaling dissatisfaction with Egypt’s approach.

CAIRO/JERUSALEM — Israel and Hamas signalled on Saturday (March 8) they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January.

Israel announced on Thursday it was sending negotiators to Cairo for talks, seeking to extend a first phase of a ceasefire due to expire in two days, in the apparent aim of securing the release of more hostages while delaying any final deal on Gaza's future.

CAIRO : Israel criticised a plan put forward by Arab states for Gaza’s reconstruction on Tuesday, while Palestinian group Hamas welcomed it. Shortly after a summit of Arab leaders in Cairo, the Israeli foreign ministry said the reconstruction plan “failed to address” the realities of the situation following Hamas’ Oct 7 attack on Israel.

CAIRO (Reuters) - Israel criticized a plan put forward by Arab states for Gaza's reconstruction on Tuesday, while Palestinian militant group Hamas welcomed it. Shortly after a summit of Arab ...