Israel wants to extend the first phase of the deal with Hamas, rather than begin negotiations over the more politically fraught second stage.

Basem Naim, a member of Hamas’ political bureau, said there had been “no progress” before Israeli negotiators returned home on Friday.

The 42-day truce between Israel and Hamas is set to expire this weekend unless an agreement is struck to extend it. The two sides were meant to begin talks on a permanent end to the war in early February;