The first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce is due to expire on Saturday with negotiations over the next stage still unresolved.

Despite intensive talks, there has been no breakthrough on advancing to phase two, which is intended to secure a permanent ceasefire and the release of more hostages.

The truce, which began on January 19, 2025, followed 15 months of war triggered by Hamas’s deadly October 7, 2023 attack on Israel — the most devastating in the country’s history.

Since the ceasefire, Gaza militants have released 25 living hostages and returned the bodies of eight others in exchange for hundreds of Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convened an urgent meeting with senior ministers and security officials on Friday, after sending a delegation to Cairo for discussions.

Egyptian officials confirmed that talks focused on whether to extend phase one by 42 days — a move favored by Israel.

However, Hamas is pushing for the immediate start of phase two, which would involve steps toward a permanent ceasefire and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza.

“The relevant parties have begun intensive talks to discuss the next phases of the truce agreement,” said Egypt’s State Information Service, adding that Israeli, Qatari, and U.S. delegations were present. There was no confirmation of a Hamas delegation in Cairo by early Saturday.

According to Max Rodenbeck of the International Crisis Group, while the second phase is unlikely to begin immediately, he does not expect the ceasefire to collapse either.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged both sides to preserve the fragile ceasefire. “The coming days are critical. The parties must spare no effort to avoid a breakdown of this deal,” he said on Friday.

The truce has allowed more humanitarian aid to reach Gaza, where the UN reports that 69 percent of buildings are damaged or destroyed, and widespread hunger continues to threaten the population.

The Gaza war began when Hamas launched a surprise attack on October 7, 2023, killing 1,218 people, mostly civilians, according to official Israeli figures.

In response, Israel’s military campaign in Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 48,000 people, according to Gaza’s health ministry, figures that the UN considers reliable.

Of the 251 hostages seized by Hamas, 58 remain in captivity, including 34 who the Israeli military believes are deceased.

Phase one of Israel-Hamas truce set to expire amid uncertain negotiations