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,

Egypt’s state information service reports that talks have begun on the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and U.S.-designated terrorist group Hamas in Cairo, just one day before the first phase of the truce is set to expire.

The 15-month war against Hamas in Gaza was triggered by the Oct. 7, 2023, massacre in southern Israel in which Gazans killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted around 250 others to the Strip, in the worst single-day attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust.

Talks begin in Cairo for next phase of Gaza ceasefire as Israel and Hamas navigate complex negotiations amid ongoing tensions.

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.

Negotiations to extend a fragile cease-fire between Israel and Hamas were underway Friday in Cairo, after Israeli and Qatari delegations traveled to the Egyptian capital.