Israel is seeking an indefinite extension to the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza rather than moving to a planned second stage designed to lay the groundwork for a more lasting settlement, several people familiar with the matter have said, reports the Financial Times.

With only days remaining in the first phase, Israel has avoided engaging in planned talks on the so-called second stage that was meant to fully end the conflict, the people have said. It has left no discernible progress more than three weeks after the talks were supposed to start.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is instead seeking “a phase one plus,” according to two people familiar with the negotiations, that would aim to secure the release of dozens of remaining hostages while avoiding any commitment to permanently stop the war or completely withdraw troops from Gaza.

Several people with knowledge of the talks said the most likely outcome was an extension to the halt in fighting. One person familiar with Israeli government deliberations said Netanyahu was seeking another six-week extension, while international mediators were pushing for a fortnight.

But the Financial Times sources in diplomatic circles have noted that the Palestinian radical movement Hamas is unlikely to agree to Israel's aforesaid conditions and will not continue to release the hostages.