Israel and Hamas signaled on Saturday they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January. Hamas said there were "positive indicators" for the start of the ceasefire's second-phase talks but did not elaborate.

Hamas reiterated on Sunday its insistence on moving directly into negotiating a second phase of the Gaza truce, as Israel announced it would dispatch a delegation to Doha for further

Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas have indicated that they are preparing for the next stage of negotiations on extending the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. Statements from both sides came amid efforts by mediators to prolong the 42-day truce that began in January,