Report: Israeli team returning from Cairo as result of Hamas rejecting proposal to extend 1st phase of deal

Protesters at Begin Gate in Tel Aviv on February 22, 2025, call for the release of all remaining hostages. Poster on the left reads: "The defender of Israel he is not," referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Yoav Loeff / Pro-Democracy Protest movement)
Protesters at Begin Gate in Tel Aviv on February 22, 2025, call for the release of all remaining hostages. Poster on the left reads: "The defender of Israel he is not," referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (Yoav Loeff / Pro-Democracy Protest movement)

The Israeli negotiating team is returning from Egypt as a result of Hamas opposing Israel’s proposal to extend the ongoing first phase of the hostage-ceasefire by an additional 42 days, Channel 12 reports.

The Channel 12 report comes soon after it is said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will hold consultations this evening with senior ministers and defense officials on the subject of the hostage-ceasefire deal. It is rare for the premier to hold such discussions on a Friday evening, the Jewish Sabbath.

An Israeli delegation dispatched to Cairo yesterday for “intensive” talks on the future of the Gaza hostage-ceasefire deal with Hamas was said to have proposed the first phase extension.

Hamas reportedly opposes the extension and insists on proceeding to the second phase of the deal as originally agreed. 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.

A diplomatic source said the Israeli delegation was to return from Cairo Friday night.

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