Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold consultations this evening with senior ministers and defense officials on the subject of the hostage-ceasefire deal, the Walla news site reports.
It is rare for the premier to hold such discussions on a Friday evening, the Jewish Sabbath.
The consultations will involve the heads of the defense establishment along with Defense Minister Israel Katz, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Shas leader Aryeh Deri, the outlet says.
The report comes after an official told Hebrew media that the negotiating team is set to return from Cairo this evening.
Haaretz says the consultations will be by telephone.
Two Egyptian sources said earlier today that Israel is seeking an extension of the ongoing first phase by an additional 42 days. Hamas opposes the extension and insists on proceeding to the second phase of the deal as originally agreed, the sources told Reuters.
The second phase is meant to include steps leading to a permanent end to the war, including a withdrawal of Israeli troops from the Strip.
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