Israel has simultaneously announced on Saturday evening that an Israeli delegation will travel to Doha in Qatar for talks about the ceasefire on Monday, writes AFP.
According to a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, Israel has accepted an invitation from the US-backed mediators. The purpose is to make "progress in the negotiations".
On Saturday, a Hamas delegation was in Cairo and met with Egyptian mediators. A spokesperson from Hamas said on Saturday evening that there are "positive signs" that talks about the second phase of the ceasefire may be underway.
The first phase of the ceasefire actually expired last weekend, but the stalemate in the fighting has continued in uncertainty. Israel has said that it wants the first phase to be extended, while Hamas has wanted to see steps towards phase two. Phase two was initially intended to lead to a lasting ceasefire and the handover of the hostages still held by Hamas.
During the first phase, Hamas has released 25 hostages and also handed over eight bodies. In exchange, Israel has released 1,800 Palestinian prisoners.
