After six weeks of calm in Gaza, Israel and Hamas would be under enormous pressure not to resume fighting. Negotiations over phase two would be hard—but they would happen. That was the idea, at least.

Yossi Tzur, whose 17-year-old son was murdered in a 2003 suicide bombing in Israel, expressed concerns about Israel releasing one of the leaders behind the attack, in addition to other terrorists, in exchange for the remaining hostages held by Hamas since Oct.

Israel delayed the release of hundreds of Palestinian prisoners without explanation Saturday after Hamas released the last six living hostages expected under the ceasefire 's first phase, with a week remaining in the initial stage.

As mediators try to salvage a Gaza cease-fire that expires this weekend, the militant group’s armed wing has begun mapping out where to position fighters in the event of a return to war, according to Arab officials.

The Red Cross expressed concern Friday for the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza, with Hamas expected to free three captives this weekend after a crisis over the ceasefire threatened

Israel will not withdraw from the Philadelphi corridor -- the border separating Egypt and Gaza -- as stipulated by the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

The bodies of four Israeli hostages are to be returned late Wednesday and more than 600 Palestinian prisoners and detainees freed during the last week of the current Gaza ceasefire deal.

Hussein Jal'ad wrote in Al-Jazeera Arabic website that Hamas has strategically used media images in its recent prisoner exchange operations.

Hamas was plotting a major attack on Jewish communities in Judea and Samaria, Defense Minister Israel Katz revealed on Thursday during a meeting with the heads of regional councils. He also reiterated demands for a demilitarized southern Syria and noted that the government is considering allowing Syrian Druze to work in the Golan.

How To Survive A Warzone's Jamie Roberts knew about the Hamas connections and has launched a Peter Johnston review.