Kat Lonsdorff

Egypt says that, quote, intensive discussions on the next stage of the ceasefire deal are underway. Israel confirmed it has sent a delegation to Cairo. Qatari officials are also present, mediating for Hamas, which says it remains committed to the deal. President Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is also expected in the region soon.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal, which has lasted almost six weeks, ends this weekend, although Israel has expressed interest in extending it while details of the next phase continue to be hammered out. Phase two would see more hostages and Palestinian detainees released, as well as further withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal, which has lasted almost six weeks, ends this weekend, although Israel has expressed interest in extending it while details of the next phase continue to be hammered out. Phase two would see more hostages and Palestinian detainees released, as well as further withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

More humanitarian aid would also be allowed into Gaza, which has been critical in recent weeks. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

More humanitarian aid would also be allowed into Gaza, which has been critical in recent weeks. Kat Lansdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Everyone here on both sides has just been kind of holding their breath for the last few days, waiting to see if this can be worked out.

Everyone here on both sides has just been kind of holding their breath for the last few days, waiting to see if this can be worked out.

Everyone here on both sides has just been kind of holding their breath for the last few days, waiting to see if this can be worked out.

That's what we're all really watching right now is to see if those talks about phase two do in fact start and what we can hear about what's happening in them.

That's what we're all really watching right now is to see if those talks about phase two do in fact start and what we can hear about what's happening in them.

That's what we're all really watching right now is to see if those talks about phase two do in fact start and what we can hear about what's happening in them.

I think it is really important to point out that the idea of being relocated is a very emotional and unsettling one for Palestinians. Historically, Palestinians have been displaced or forcibly moved from their land and then never allowed to return again, including most Palestinians living in Gaza right now. They're refugees from what was once Palestinian land and is now Israel.

I think it is really important to point out that the idea of being relocated is a very emotional and unsettling one for Palestinians. Historically, Palestinians have been displaced or forcibly moved from their land and then never allowed to return again, including most Palestinians living in Gaza right now. They're refugees from what was once Palestinian land and is now Israel.

I think it is really important to point out that the idea of being relocated is a very emotional and unsettling one for Palestinians. Historically, Palestinians have been displaced or forcibly moved from their land and then never allowed to return again, including most Palestinians living in Gaza right now. They're refugees from what was once Palestinian land and is now Israel.

Trump made the comments in the Oval Office while speaking to reporters, but didn't specify what that threat meant or how it would work. He called for the ceasefire to be canceled by noon Saturday if all hostages were not released by Hamas, but also said that Israel could, quote, override it.

Trump made the comments in the Oval Office while speaking to reporters, but didn't specify what that threat meant or how it would work. He called for the ceasefire to be canceled by noon Saturday if all hostages were not released by Hamas, but also said that Israel could, quote, override it.

The fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which the U.S., including members from Trump's administration, helped broker, calls for Israeli hostages to be released over the course of several weeks in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees each time.

The fragile ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, which the U.S., including members from Trump's administration, helped broker, calls for Israeli hostages to be released over the course of several weeks in exchange for Palestinian prisoners and detainees each time.

Hamas has said it will delay the release of more hostages, quote, until further notice, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. Israel has said it has placed its troops in Gaza on heightened alert. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.

Hamas has said it will delay the release of more hostages, quote, until further notice, accusing Israel of violating the ceasefire agreement. Israel has said it has placed its troops in Gaza on heightened alert. Kat Lonsdorf, NPR News, Tel Aviv.