The truce between Israel and Hamas extended for a seventh day
The temporary pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has been extended for an additional 24 hours. Sources from both sides announced the extension just moments before the existing agreement was set to expire.
Israel’s military confirmed on Thursday that the truce will continue “in light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing hostages, and subject to the terms of the agreement.”
Hamas also issued a separate statement, confirming that both parties agreed to extend the temporary ceasefire, which initially came into effect on Friday and has now been prolonged for at least an additional day.
Qatar, the mediator between the two sides, stated that the extension was made under the same conditions as before, with Hamas releasing 10 Israeli hostages daily in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners.
Down to the wire
As the deadline approached, the extension was uncertain after both sides failed to agree on a new list of Israeli captives to be released from Gaza on Thursday.
Hamas initially proposed a list that included seven living captives and the remains of three individuals who were allegedly killed in previous Israeli air strikes. Israel rejected this list, but Hamas later submitted an improved version, leading to the extension of the truce.
The negotiations between the two parties are intensifying as most of the women and children held by Hamas are freed.
The Palestinian group may seek greater numbers of prisoner releases in return for the release of Israeli men and soldiers.
Mohamed Elmasry, an analyst with the Doha Institute of Graduate Studies, told Al Jazeera, “The longer this extends, the more difficult this will be for Hamas to produce civilian hostages because they have a very limited number of them.”
He added that Hamas would likely demand far greater concessions, such as a permanent ceasefire and the release of all Palestinian prisoners, to release Israeli soldiers. Elmasry said, “Israel is going to want those hostages back. The question is: at what price?”
Relief in Gaza
News of the extension came as a relief in Gaza, allowing for more humanitarian aid, including water, food, medicine, and fuel, to enter the region. Al Jazeera’s Tarek Abu Azzoum reported that “Every new single day of extension [of the truce] will give Palestinians a new opportunity to be alive and to have more supplies to help them alleviate the humanitarian crisis.”
International pressure for a lasting ceasefire has increased after nearly eight weeks of Israeli bombardment and a ground campaign in Gaza, which has caused significant casualties and displacement.
Israel has welcomed the release of dozens of hostages in recent days and has indicated that it will maintain the truce for as long as Hamas continues freeing captives. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated, “There is no way we are not going back to fighting until the end,” emphasizing the country’s intention to resume attacks on Gaza.
