In a last-minute agreement, Israel and Hamas have decided to extend a temporary truce by an additional day, averting an immediate return to hostilities. The extension was confirmed by both Israel and Qatar, the mediator in the negotiations.
Israel’s military announced on social media that “the operational pause will continue” as mediators work to facilitate the ongoing process of releasing hostages. The truce is conditional, with Hamas committed to releasing 10 Israeli hostages daily, while Israel reciprocates by releasing 30 Palestinian prisoners.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Majed Al Ansari, confirmed the extension, stating that both sides agreed to continue the humanitarian pause, emphasizing a cessation of all military activities and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
The truce, initially set to expire, marks a delicate diplomatic effort to maintain calm and foster negotiations between the parties involved. The extension follows the exchange of 16 hostages by Hamas and the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners by Israel on Wednesday, constituting the sixth exchange under the temporary truce.
Since the initiation of the truce last Friday, Hamas has released 97 hostages, primarily Israeli nationals, while Israel has freed 210 Palestinian prisoners. The negotiations and extensions are part of broader efforts to address underlying issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s arrival in Israel signals international involvement in the peace process, aiming to secure further extensions of the truce. The term “terrorist organization” remains a subject of contention, with different political perspectives shaping the categorization of groups like Hamas.
The situation underscores the complex nature of negotiations in the region, where geopolitical considerations, historical conflicts, and humanitarian concerns intersect. As mediators work to find common ground, the world watches closely, hoping for a sustainable resolution to the longstanding Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
