The Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported on Friday that the political level has issued instructions in preparation for returning to fighting in Gaza. The Broadcasting Authority quoted security sources as saying that returning to fighting in Gaza would pose a threat to the lives of prisoners held in the Strip.

Earlier, a Hamas delegation arrived in Cairo on the eve of talks on a truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip, two officials in the movement said Friday.

"A high-level Hamas delegation headed by acting head Mohammed Darwish arrived in Cairo on Friday afternoon," one of the officials told AFP, noting that he would meet "on Saturday with officials in Egypt to consult on developments in the situation and the progress made in implementing the ceasefire agreement and regarding the start of the second phase." He added: "Hamas is demanding that the mediators compel the occupation to implement the agreement and start negotiations for the second phase in accordance with the agreement it signed, and to open the crossings to allow humanitarian and relief aid to enter the Gaza Strip."

After 15 months of war that erupted following Hamas's unprecedented attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, a ceasefire went into effect in the Gaza Strip on January 19, based on an agreement brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar.

The first phase of the ceasefire agreement lasted six weeks, and allowed the return of 33 hostages to Israel, including eight dead, while Israel released about 1,800 Palestinian prisoners who were in its prisons.

With the end of the first phase, Israel announced its desire to extend it until mid-April based on an American proposal, while Hamas insisted on the need to negotiate the second phase, which is supposed to put an end to the war.

During the Hamas attack, 251 people were kidnapped, including 58 who are still in Gaza, and Israel says that 34 of them were killed.

The next stages of the truce agreement collide with the conflicting positions of the two parties.