In a significant development, Qatari officials announced a two-day extension to the four-day ceasefire between Hamas and Israel on Monday. The ceasefire, initiated after Hamas’ surprise attack on Israel on October 7, has seen the release of dozens of hostages held in war-torn Gaza for nearly two months.
Hamas has released 58 hostages, comprising 40 Israelis and 18 foreign citizens, in exchange for 117 Palestinians released from Israeli prisons. The ceasefire extension is aimed at securing the release of additional hostages, with the understanding that there is a “real risk” of Hamas benefiting from the pause in fighting by refitting, resting fighters, and rearming.
National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby acknowledged that the ceasefire is a “calculated risk” taken by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to facilitate hostage release. However, Kirby emphasized that military operations against Hamas leadership will resume.
The United States expressed concern about the fate of eight or nine Americans believed to be still held in Gaza. The U.S. National Security Council hopes for their release during the extended ceasefire but lacks solid information on each individual. The situation remains fluid, and the fate of American hostages is uncertain.
Hamas officials confirmed receiving a list of Palestinian prisoners expected to be released by Israel in exchange for hostages. The list includes three women and 30 children. The humanitarian truce extension, facilitated by Qatar, is under the same conditions as the previous truce.
Gaza residents returning home during the ceasefire found widespread destruction. The ceasefire provides a brief respite for civilians grappling with the challenging conditions. Many, like Abdelkader Darma, highlighted the difficulty of living amid the destruction, with people sleeping in the streets and struggling to find basic necessities.
The agreement to extend the truce involves the release of 10 Israeli women and children held by Hamas in exchange for 30 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons each day of the extension. The ceasefire not only aims to secure the release of hostages but also facilitates the entry of aid and fuel into war-torn Gaza.
One hostage, 84-year-old Alma Avraham, freed by Hamas, remains in critical condition due to preexisting health conditions and a lack of regular medication during her captivity. Her case underscores the urgency of the situation, with medical care becoming a critical aspect of the negotiations.
Negotiations between Israel and Hamas continue to finalize the list of hostages for release, with both sides working to resolve issues such as the inclusion of children without their mothers in the release list. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed ongoing negotiations and urged against the dissemination of rumors and unreliable information.
As the truce extension hangs in the balance, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution that secures the release of hostages and brings temporary relief to the conflict-ridden region.