Gantz: Netanyahu wants to draw out first phase of ceasefire out of political interest

Israel's National Unity party chairman, and former member of the war cabinet Benny Gantz said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants to extend the first phase of the Gaza ceasefire deal out of "political interest".

"Extending the deal strengthens Hamas," he said in a video address, saying his country should instead work to "get as many hostages as possible, as quickly as possible" rather than doing so in "trickles".

Without providing evidence, Gantz said that Hamas is "arming itself and rehabilitating itself militarily and politically" during this time.

Gantz' message comes amid Israeli media reports that Netanyahu plans to extend the first phase of the ceasefire, which is set to end on 1 March.