Israel Gaza Truce Extended: More Hostages Expected to be Freed

Latest News: Hamas Seeks New Agreement with Israel for Hostage Swap

Hamas official, Khalil Al-Hayya, revealed that the truce between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip has now extended to a fifth day, bringing with it a promise to release more hostages over the next couple of days. In line with the truce extension, Al-Hayya mentioned that Hamas is looking for a fresh deal with Israel to include “other categories” of detainees, aside from the women and children who have already been set free.

According to reports, Israel has welcomed 69 released hostages since Friday, with 11 returning to the country on Monday. Furthermore, following the proposed extension of the truce agreed by the White House and Qatari negotiators, 50 female prisoners are in line for potential release in exchange for additional Israeli hostages.

Hamas officials have expressed the hope of reaching an agreement to release more detainees, which may lead to an increase in the number of days for swapping prisoners. Nonetheless, several hostages are still held by Hamas, causing the Israeli government to await the release of the agreed hostages, which is currently estimated at 10 individuals for Tuesday.

Meanwhile, clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians occurred outside the Ofer prison, where 33 Palestinian prisoners were released on Monday. Some of the protesters waved flags representing Hamas and Islamic Jihad, during which a Palestinian was reported dead, according to the Palestinian health ministry.

The killings and displacements caused by the wave of conflict have led to concerns that time is insufficient to meet Gaza’s considerable aid needs.

Additional reporting by Rami Amichay and Ali Sawafta; Writing by Arshad Mohammed and Lincoln Feast; Editing by Cynthia Osterman and Raju Gopalakrishnan

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