CNN —

An Israeli official has stated that the country will not withdraw its troops from the Gaza-Egypt border, a prerequisite for the second stage of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas, despite sending a delegation for peace discussions.

“We will maintain our presence in the Philadelphi Corridor,” the official informed CNN, highlighting the 14-kilometer (8-mile) stretch along the border. “We will not permit Hamas terrorists to operate freely with vehicles and weapons near our borders, nor will we allow them to reinforce their capabilities through smuggling.”

This announcement comes just days before the expiration of the first phase of the hostage-ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas, and shortly after Hamas completed the release of the last hostages scheduled for this stage.

Hamas stated that Israel’s reluctance to retreat from the Gaza-Egypt border constitutes “a blatant disregard of the ceasefire agreement and an attempt to create justifications for undermining the agreement, leading to its collapse.”

Negotiations regarding the potential extension of the 42-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas were originally expected to start over three weeks ago.

Amid escalating tensions in the area, emergency services reported that at least nine individuals were injured in a car-ramming incident in central Israel on Thursday. Among them, two were in serious condition and one in critical condition, as per local hospital sources.

Israeli authorities are treating the event as a terrorist act, having identified a 53-year-old Palestinian man as the suspect, who was subsequently killed.

Concurrently, Israel has intensified military operations in Palestinian territories within the occupied West Bank, resulting in numerous fatalities and widespread displacement since the ceasefire was established last month.

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office announced on Thursday that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is dispatching a negotiating team to Cairo today to further discussions.

It remains uncertain whether this delegation will tackle the second phase of the ceasefire, which necessitates the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza, or if it will merely focus on extending the ongoing first phase.

In a sign that high-level meetings will not occur, Israel’s chief negotiator, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, will not be accompanying the delegation to Cairo, as confirmed by the spokesperson for the Israeli Prime Minister, Omer Dostri, to CNN.

The initial phase has facilitated the release of 38 hostages held by Hamas, five of whom were freed outside the deal, alongside thousands of Palestinian detainees being held by Israel. This phase is set to conclude on Saturday.

Netanyahu appears to lean towards merely extending the first phase of the ceasefire while ensuring the release of additional hostages, without commencing a withdrawal from Gaza. A knowledgeable Israeli source informed CNN on Tuesday that the government aims to prolong this initial phase “for as long as feasible” in hopes of achieving this objective.

Benny Gantz, a former military chief who departed from the unity government last year, criticized Netanyahu as acting from narrow “political gain.”

“The priority for Israel should be to secure the rapid return of as many hostages as possible,” he asserted while visiting northern Israel. “One significant exchange is preferable, rather than piecemeal releases.”

Hamas official Mahmoud Mardawi informed CNN that the withdrawal from the Philadelphi Corridor was initially slated to commence on Saturday, marking day 42 of the ceasefire, and would conclude on March 9, day 50.

The Israeli military assumed control of the corridor adjacent to the Egyptian border in May. Netanyahu has maintained that overseeing this border region is crucial for Israel’s security.

The second phase of the ceasefire is anticipated to require Israel’s withdrawal of its armed forces from Gaza, including the Egyptian border area. In return, Hamas is expected to release all living hostages in exchange for more Palestinian detainees.

Following the transfer of the final four deceased hostages early Thursday, Hamas reiterated its intention to commence discussions for the second phase.

“Any attempts by Netanyahu and his administration to retract the agreement and impede its implementation will only result in further hardship for the hostages and their loved ones,” warned Hamas, emphasizing the plight of the captives.

CNN is currently seeking a statement from Egypt, who is one of the mediators involved in the ceasefire discussions.

CNN’s Kareem Khadder contributed to this report.