One can tell that Hamas expects things to remain calm by how it is behaving - this is all part of the terror group's plan.

Hamas has called on the international community to pressure Israel into moving forward with the second phase of the Gaza ceasefire, reaffirming its commitment to the agreement as negotiations continue in Cairo ahead of the truce’s expiration.

The first phase of the ceasefire deal between Israel and Palestinian group Hamas ends on Saturday, March 1 local time, without any certainty over the planned second phase, which is hoped to bring an end to the Gaza war.

The first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza that saw dozens of Israeli hostages and hundreds of Palestinian prisoners freed is nearing its end - with Israel and Hamas split on the way forward.

Hamas said on Saturday that it rejected Israel's "formulation" of extending the first phase of the ceasefire in Gaza, on the day the first stage of the deal was set to expire. The group's spokesperson Hazem Qassem also told Al-Araby TV there were no current talks for a second ceasefire phase in Gaza with the group.

Hamas is playing for time in Cairo, Doha, and Gaza. It hopes that Israel has gambled on extending a ceasefire deal but that Hamas can hold out and get the best of both worlds. What is the best of both worlds for Hamas?

The ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas is set to expire at midnight. The Israeli government hopes to extend the deadline with no indications they plan to invade the Gaza Strip again.