In a last-minute agreement on Thursday, Israel and Hamas have decided to extend their six-day ceasefire, providing negotiators with additional time to finalize deals related to the exchange of hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners. This extension plays a crucial role in ongoing humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, which faced extensive damage during a deadly incursion by Hamas into southern Israel on October 7.
The Israeli military, through a statement just before the temporary truce’s expiration at 0500 GMT, confirmed the continuation of the operational pause. The extension is contingent upon the efforts of mediators to advance the process of releasing hostages, adhering to the agreed-upon framework.
Hamas, having released 16 hostages in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners the previous day, has confirmed the extension of the truce for a seventh day. The conditions of the ceasefire, including the cessation of hostilities and the entry of humanitarian aid, remain unchanged, according to a foreign ministry spokesperson from Qatar—a key mediator alongside Egypt and the United States. Israel’s prime minister’s office reported receiving a list of women and children in line with the agreement’s terms, ensuring the truce’s continuation. However, tensions arose as Hamas claimed that Israel refused to accept an additional seven women and children, along with the bodies of three hostages, straining negotiations for the truce extension.
Before the agreement, both Israel and Hamas had expressed readiness to resume hostilities. A Reuters tally indicates that 97 hostages have been freed since the truce’s commencement, with the Israeli military stating that 145 hostages remain in Gaza. Notably, two Russian and four Thai citizens were released outside the agreement’s framework, along with 10 Israeli citizens, including five dual nationals.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s arrival in Tel Aviv underscores diplomatic efforts to discuss the ceasefire extension. President Joe Biden, committed to securing the release of all hostages held by Hamas, emphasized this objective following the release of American Liat Beinin. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the “epic humanitarian catastrophe” in Gaza, emphasizing the need for a ceasefire to replace the temporary truce.
China urged the United Nations Security Council to formulate a concrete timetable and roadmap for a two-state solution, aiming for a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue. Jordan is set to host a conference attended by major relief agencies to coordinate aid for Gaza. Meanwhile, the US is urging Israel to specify combat zones and safe areas for Palestinian civilians during operations to prevent a recurrence of high civilian casualties.
