As ceasefire lingers, Israel-Hamas navigate delicate talks for hostage release, striving to maintain fragile peace in devastated Gaza
On Thursday, Israel-Hamas agreed to extend the ceasefire for at least one more day, just minutes before the initial six-day truce was set to expire. The truce, which was originally planned for four days, has offered a brief pause in the intense conflict that has left much of Gaza devastated. Mediators are working to secure the release of hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
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Israel’s military announced the extension, stating that it is in response to ongoing mediation efforts and the desire to continue the process of releasing hostages. The truce has provided relief from the relentless bombardment of Gaza, which had been significantly damaged in response to a violent incident involving Hamas militants in southern Israel on October 7.
Truce Extension: Complications Arise in Hostage Negotiations
Hamas, in a statement, confirmed the extension of the truce for a seventh day. Earlier, the militant group released 16 hostages in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners. However, there were complications as Israel reportedly refused to accept additional women and children as well as the bodies of three other hostages in exchange for further extending the truce.
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Despite the temporary respite, both sides acknowledged their readiness to resume fighting. Israel remains committed to dealing with Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza, following the October 7 incident, where the militant group was accused of killing 1,200 people and taking 240 hostages. Before the truce, a seven-week Israeli bombardment had resulted in the death of more than 15,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza.
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