Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their ceasefire by at least one more day, just minutes before the six-day truce was set to expire. Israel’s military announced the extension as efforts were underway to secure the release of more hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
The initial four-day truce, now extended, has offered relief from the intense bombardment of Gaza, which left much of the territory in ruins following a deadly incursion by Hamas militants into southern Israel on Oct. 7.
Israel’s statement mentioned, “In light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the framework, the operational pause will continue.”
Hamas, having released 16 hostages in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners the previous day, confirmed in a statement that the truce would persist for a seventh day. However, they indicated that Israel had declined to accept seven women and children along with the bodies of three other hostages in exchange for further extending the truce.
Both sides expressed readiness to resume hostilities. Israel’s commitment to eradicating Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, stemmed from the Oct. 7 incident, where, according to Israel, gunmen killed 1,200 people and took 240 hostages.
Before the truce, Israel conducted a seven-week bombardment of the territory, resulting in the deaths of over 15,000 Palestinians, as reported by health authorities in Gaza. The situation remains delicate as negotiations continue for the release of additional hostages and the potential for a more extended ceasefire.
