Israel and Hamas indicated on Saturday they were preparing for the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend the fragile 42-day truce that began in January.

Israel has imposed a total blockade on all goods entering the enclave, demanding that Hamas free remaining hostages without beginning the negotiations to end the Gaza war.

The military was supposed to begin withdrawing from that region in early March if the current ceasefire, which expires Saturday, were extended.