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.

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 seeks to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire to secure the release of more detainees while intensive talks continue in Cairo.

Israel on Thursday said that it is sending negotiators to Cairo for talks aimed at extending the first phase of a ceasefire set to expire in two days. The move appears focused on securing the release

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,

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.