A truce between Israel and Hamas, set to expire, was extended just before its deadline. Both parties announced the extension, with Qatar, the mediator, reporting that it would continue for one day under the same conditions that previously led to the release of captives in exchange for prisoners.
Israel’s military declared the extension of the “operational pause” just minutes before the original halt in fighting was scheduled to conclude at 0500 GMT. The extension was attributed to the mediators’ efforts to progress the release of hostages, subject to the terms of the existing framework.
The prime minister’s office later confirmed the extension, stating that a new list of captives had been received, specifying women and children in accordance with the agreement’s terms. However, the timeframe for the truce extension was not explicitly mentioned.
Hamas confirmed the agreement to “extend the truce for a seventh day” without providing further details. Earlier, there were indications that Israel initially hesitated to extend the truce after offering to hand over seven captives and the bodies of three individuals.
Qatar, leading the truce negotiations, confirmed the extension for one day “under the same previous conditions.” The announcement followed the arrival of U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Israel, adding pressure for a truce extension.
The truce, initiated on November 24, brought a temporary halt to the conflict that began on October 7. The subsequent air and ground campaign by Israel in Gaza has resulted in significant casualties, with nearly 15,000 people, mostly civilians, losing their lives.
The truce agreement permits extensions if Hamas releases an additional 10 captives each day. However, both sides warned that a return to fighting was imminent if the truce expired.
Hamas’s armed wing instructed its fighters to maintain high military readiness in anticipation of a potential resumption of combat if the truce is not renewed. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman stated that troops would quickly move into operational mode to continue targeting Gaza if the truce lapsed.
Overnight, 10 additional Israeli captives were freed as part of the truce agreement, with another four Thai hostages and two Israeli-Russian women released outside the arrangement. Video footage released by Hamas showed masked gunmen handing captives to the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Upon the hostages’ arrival in Israel, the country’s prison service reported the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners, including the well-known activist Ahed Tamimi. Since the truce’s initiation, 70 Israeli captives have been released in exchange for 210 Palestinian prisoners.
While Israel views the truce as a temporary halt primarily aimed at freeing captives, there is a growing call for a more sustained pause in the conflict. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has urged a “true humanitarian ceasefire,” emphasizing the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. China has also called for an immediate “sustained humanitarian truce.”
The truce has brought a mix of joy and anxiety for families awaiting news of their loved ones’ release. Amidst these developments, Israel is investigating a claim by Hamas’s armed wing that a 10-month-old baby, his four-year-old brother, and their mother were killed in an Israeli bombing in Gaza.
The situation remains complex, with ongoing geopolitical discussions and humanitarian concerns in the region.
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