The announcement came just after the first phase of the previously agreed ceasefire expired on Saturday……… …….. ………… …. …………. ………. Phase one halted 15 months of fighting and saw the release of 33 Israeli hostages held in Gaza and five Thai nationals, in exchange for around 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees.Israeli, Hamas and other negotiators were in Egypt on Friday to discuss the ceasefire. The Israeli delegation returned home from the talks Friday evening.
“Extending the first phase of the deal in the format that Israel wants is unacceptable to the organization,” Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem said in an interview with Al Araby television.
