Israel and Hamas are negotiating to extend the Gaza ceasefire
Israel and Hamas were in negotiations through intermediaries on Wednesday for a potential extension of the Gaza truce. The talks were critical as there were only a few hours left before the expiration of the six-day pause, which could lead to a resumption of hostilities.
As part of the ongoing deal, Gaza militants had released 60 Israeli women and children out of the 240 hostages they seized in a violent incident on October 7 that initially led to the first ceasefire of the conflict. Additionally, 21 foreigners, mainly Thai farmworkers, were also freed through separate parallel agreements.
In reciprocation, Israel has released 180 Palestinian security detainees, consisting entirely of women and teenagers.
On Wednesday, families of the Israeli hostages were notified of the names of those set to be released later in the day, as reported by Israel’s public broadcaster Kan. This marks the final group to be freed under the existing truce unless negotiators succeed in extending it.
Concurrently, Gaza’s Hamas rulers disclosed a list comprising 15 women and 15 teenagers who were to be released from Israeli jails in return.
For the first time since the truce began, it encompassed Palestinian citizens of Israel and residents of the occupied territory.
A Palestinian official informed Reuters that, despite a mutual willingness to extend the truce, no agreement has been finalized. Ongoing discussions are being conducted with mediators in Egypt and Qatar.
Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy stated that Israel would consider any serious proposal but refrained from providing further details. He emphasized the sensitivity of the negotiations, highlighting the human lives at stake.
Levy clarified that once the hostage release concludes, the conflict will resume, stating, "This war will end with the end of Hamas.
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