Negotiations between Israel and Hamas on next phase of ceasefire ‘have begun’

The launch of talks helps avert a collapse of the ceasefire, whose first phase is set to expire on Saturday.

Freed Palestinian prisoners react as they arrive in the Gaza Strip (Jehad Alshrafi/AP)

Egypt says negotiations between Israel and Hamas on the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire have begun in Cairo.

Officials from Israel, Qatar and the US on Thursday started “intensive discussions” on the second phase of the ceasefire, Egypt‘s state information service said in a statement.