Israel and Hamas signaled on Saturday 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.

Meanwhile, Israeli government is pushing for a new agreement to extend the truce during Ramadan in exchange for the release of the remaining hostages in Gaza, while maintaining its military presence i

Israel has introduced what it said was a new U.S. ceasefire plan and is trying to force Hamas to accept it by imposing a siege on the Gaza Strip.