Cairo: The negotiations in Cairo aimed at advancing the second phase of the ceasefire agreement between the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas and the Israeli regime have hit a roadblock, as reported by an unnamed Palestinian official.

According to Islamic Republic News Agency, the official accused Israel of deliberately stalling the discussions to extend the first phase of the agreement while incrementally securing the release of its prisoners. The Palestinian resistance remains firm in its stance that no Israeli prisoners will be released without a comprehensive agreement.

The official criticized what they described as Israel's blackmail tactics, rejecting any partial deals not part of a full-package agreement. Efforts by mediators to persuade the Israeli regime to engage in the next phase of talks have reportedly been unsuccessful. Israeli political leaders are allegedly exerting pressure on negotiators to prolong the first phase contingent upon the release of more prisoners by Hamas.

Egypt's state information service reported that Israeli officials joined mediators from Qatar and the U.S. for intensive discussions on Thursday regarding the second phase of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal in Gaza. This truce, announced on January 15, is a three-phase agreement following U.N.-endorsed indirect negotiations between the two parties.

The second phase of the truce discussions is intended to negotiate a comprehensive end to the Israeli regime's war and occupation in the Gaza Strip and to ensure the release of all remaining Israeli prisoners. Despite the current impasse, Hamas has reiterated its commitment to the negotiations and stated that Israel has "no choice" but to participate in the talks.