CAIRO, Feb. 28 (Xinhua) -- An Israeli delegation proposed in Cairo extending the first stage of the Gaza ceasefire agreement for an additional 42 days, an informed Egyptian security source told Xinhua on Friday.

Speaking on condition of anonymity, the source noted the Israeli delegation also proposed that Hamas release three Israeli hostages on Saturday in exchange for Palestinians prisoners, without specifying the number, along with the facilitation of humanitarian aid delivery.

The talks have yet to address the second stage of the deal, which seeks to end the war in Gaza, and secure the complete Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, the source added.

Egypt, a key mediator, continues to push for an end to the war and the launch of reconstruction efforts in Gaza, the source added.

On Thursday, two delegations from Israel and Qatar arrived in the Egyptian capital Cairo to continue the ceasefire negotiations in the Gaza Strip in the presence of U.S. mediators, according to the Egyptian State Information Service statement. Enditem

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