Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal in Gaza extended for two days

Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal in Gaza extended for two days

The four-day truce in Gaza between Israel and Hamas has been extended for another two days, amid both sides’ praise for the rescued hostages.

According to the BBC, Qatar revealed this, and Hamas stated that the extension was granted “under the same conditions,” which were for 50 Israeli hostages to be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian inmates.

Meanwhile, Israel has yet to confirm this, but it has stated that for every ten Israeli prisoners released, there will be a one-day break in warfare.

This occurred while both parties were preparing for the final exchange under the initial agreement, which went into force on Friday.

Hamas – which is regarded as a terrorist organisation by Israel – has freed 39 Israelis over the previous three days. In exchange, Israel has freed 117 Palestinian prisoners.

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Nineteen foreign nationals, one of whom has Israeli citizenship, have also been handed over by Hamas under separate agreements.

The cessation of the fighting has also allowed a tremendous rise in deliveries of aid to Gaza, where there is a deepening humanitarian crisis.

Before the extension was announced, a Palestinian official told the BBC between 20 to 40 additional Israeli hostages could be freed by Hamas.

An Israeli official meanwhile said that 184 people remained in captivity in Gaza, including 14 foreign nationals and 80 Israelis with dual citizenship.

Israel launched a military campaign in Gaza and imposed a siege in response to an unprecedented cross-border attack by Hamas gunmen on 7 October, in which at least 1,200 people were killed and about 240 others taken hostage.

Gaza’s Hamas-run government says more than 14,800 people have been killed in the territory since the war began.

Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal in Gaza extended for two days