Mughrabi and Jaidaa TahaJERUSALEM/CAIRO (Reuters) -Israel blocked the entry of aid trucks into Gaza on Sunday as a standoff over the truce that has halted fighting for the past six weeks escalated, with Hamas calling on Egyptian and Qatari mediators to intervene.

Israel announced on Thursday it was sending negotiators to Cairo for talks, seeking to extend a first phase of a ceasefire due to expire in two days, in the apparent aim of securing the release of more hostages while delaying any final deal on Gaza's future.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office endorses extending Phase I through Ramadan and Passover. Hamas is ready to negotiate the next phase.