Israel endorses plan to extend Gaza truce as first phase draws to close

Demonstrators during a protest calling for action to release the remaining hostages held captive in Gaza since the October 7, 2023 attacks by Palestinian militants, outside the Israeli Defence Ministry headquarters in Tel Aviv on March 1, 2025. [AFP]

Israel endorsed a proposal on Sunday to temporarily extend the truce in Gaza as a bridging measure after the first phase of its ceasefire with Hamas drew to a close.

The first phase of a ceasefire between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas was set to expire over the weekend without any certainty as to the second phase, which is hoped to bring a more permanent end to the Gaza war.