Egypt says Hamas and Israel have entered phase II ceasefire talks

Egypt said on Thursday that  Israel and Hamas have entered phase II ceasefire talks in Cairo, forestalling a collapse of the agreement. 

“The mediators are also discussing ways to enhance the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, as part of efforts to alleviate the suffering of the population and support stability in the region,” Egypt‘s state information service said. 

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said a delegation would travel to Egypt to see about negotiating an extension of phase I.

Before the talks, an Israeli official said the country would not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor in southern Gaza, violating the ceasefire.