The first phase of the Israel-Hamas truce is due to expire on Saturday, but negotiations on the next stage, which should secure a permanent ceasefire, have so far been inconclusive. The ceasefire took effect on January 19 after more than 15 months of war sparked by Hamas’s October 7,

Israel wants to extend the first phase of the deal with Hamas, rather than begin negotiations over the more politically fraught second stage.

Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said there had been “no progress” before Israeli negotiators returned home on Friday.