Israel has announced its decision not to withdraw its forces from the Gaza-Egypt border, as required under the second phase of a truce with Hamas. The Israeli government cited concerns about preventing Hamas militants from regaining access to weapons through smuggling routes along the border.
The announcement comes as a team from Israel is dispatched for ceasefire negotiations with Hamas. The first phase of the Israel-Hamas hostage-ceasefire agreement is set to expire soon, with talks on extending the ceasefire into a second phase delayed for several weeks.
