Israeli media revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a discussion session with senior defense officials about the plans for the Israeli occupation army to return to fighting in Gaza.

Channel 13 Israel said, "Before his meeting with Trump and the start of negotiations on the second phase of the hostage deal, Netanyahu holds a discussion session on returning to fighting."

She added that Netanyahu "held an unusual discussion yesterday (Friday) with senior defense officials, which dealt with plans to return to combat. The defense minister and the chief of staff also discussed the identity of the next chief of staff - and he is expected to be announced within the next 24 hours."

She explained that this discussion between Netanyahu and defense officials comes two days before the scheduled start of negotiations between Israel, Hamas and mediators regarding the second phase of the agreement, as well as before his departure to Washington to meet with US President Donald Trump.

Netanyahu is expected to visit the United States, where he will meet Trump on Tuesday, and return to Israel on Thursday, but Channel 13 sources reported that sources close to him said he may stay in Washington longer than planned due to a "busy schedule."

Negotiations on the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire agreement will begin on the 16th day of the first phase.

The second phase is expected to include the release of all remaining hostages, including male Israeli soldiers, and a permanent ceasefire with a complete withdrawal of Israeli soldiers from the Gaza Strip.

The third phase is expected to include the return of all remaining bodies of the dead Israeli hostages and the start of the reconstruction of Gaza under the supervision of Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations.