The Gaza war is the latest in decades of conflict between Israel and Palestinians. It began on Oct. 7, 2023, when fighters from the Islamist group Hamas stormed border defences from Gaza and attacked Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and seizing about 250 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

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.

As 1st phase of ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal concludes Saturday evening, Hamas urges global community to press Israel to fulfill its obligations, enter 2nd phase 'without hesitation or stallin

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.

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

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.