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

Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas have indicated that they are preparing for the next stage of negotiations on extending the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Statements from both sides came amid efforts by mediators to prolong the 42-day truce that began in January,