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.

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

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.

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,

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.

Foreign ministers from Muslim nations on Saturday also rejected calls by President Trump to empty the Gaza Strip of its Palestinian population.