Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas have indicated that they are preparing for the next stage of negotiations on extending the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Statements from both sides came amid efforts by mediators to prolong the 42-day truce that began in January,

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.

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

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has instructed his delegation to travel to Cairo on Thursday to continue Gaza ceasefire talks. The second phase, if started, will involve the release of the remaining hostages for more prisoners,

The Hamas delegation met with the head of Egyptian Intelligence in Cairo to discuss the ceasefire as well as the hostages-for-prisoners deal in all its stages.

An Israeli delegation in Cairo is negotiating to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire when it expires on Saturday rather than move to the second phase as originally planned and as Hamas wants,

Israel will send a delegation to Qatar's Doha on Monday to advance ceasefire negotiations after accepting an invitation from the mediators, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office said in a statement on Saturday.