Israel says it will not withdraw its troops from the Gaza Strip's border with Egypt, despite the fact that a full withdrawal from the enclave is part of the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with the Islamic group Hamas.



Under the six-week truce deal, Hamas released 33 Israeli hostages who had been held in Gaza, and Israel freed about 1,700 Palestinian detainees by Thursday. This marked the completion of the first-phase exchanges, which were set to expire on Saturday.



The two sides will negotiate the implementation of the second phase, which includes the release of the 59 remaining Israeli hostages, the end of the fighting and the withdrawal of all Israeli troops from Gaza.



But an Israeli official said on Thursday that Israel will not withdraw from the Philadelphi Corridor, a stretch of land along Gaza's southern border with Egypt. The official stressed that Israel will not allow Hamas to rearm through smuggling.



It was revealed on Thursday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered the dispatch of a delegation to Egypt to continue the ceasefire talks. Local media outlets say the delegation is expected to discuss extending the first stage.



Both Israel and Hamas apparently want to maintain the ceasefire. The Israeli public is demanding the release of the remaining hostages, and for Hamas, the Muslim holy month of Ramadan is approaching.