Malu Cursino
Live reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Hamas has said that a delegation headed by its top negotiator arrived in the Egyptian capital for talks with officials and is monitoring “the implementation of the ceasefire agreement”.

The group – who have held Israeli hostages in Gaza since 7 October 2023 – said it would not bow down to threats from Israel and the US.

Israel has threatened to “resume intense fighting” if hostages are not released by Saturday, although the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has not clarified whether the threat relates to the return of all hostages or the three hostages scheduled to be released this weekend.

The US, Israel’s closest ally, said “hell” would breakout if Hamas did not release “all” hostages by the deadline.

The latest escalation, which threatens the ceasefire’s longevity, follows a statement from Hamas on Monday. At that time, the group said it would be suspending the upcoming hostage release because Israel was allegedly violating its side of the agreement.

The pause in fighting after 16 months of war in the Gaza Strip has been welcomed by the international community, with the Red Cross urging both sides to uphold the truce.

A senior Egyptian source told the BBC that Cairo and Doha are “intensifying their diplomatic efforts” to salvage the ceasefire.

Egypt also says it is working on a “comprehensive vision” for the reconstruction of war-torn Gaza that guarantees Palestinians the right to stay on their land, unlike the proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump.

We’re now pausing our live coverage, but we have more coverage on this story elsewhere on the BBC. You can read about Egypt’s plans for rebuilding, or get up-to-date with the details included in the ceasefire deal.

Thanks for joining us.