The Gaza war is the latest in decades of conflict between Israel and Palestinians. It began on Oct. 7, 2023, when fighters from the Islamist group Hamas stormed border defences from Gaza and attacked Israeli communities, killing around 1,200 people and seizing about 250 as hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

Officials from Israel, Qatar and the United States started 'intensive discussions' on the cease-fire accord's second phase in Cairo, Egypt‘s state information service said.

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.