Hamas May Consider Extending 4-Day Truce with Israel: Report
Hamas has released a third group of hostages, including a four-year-old American girl, as part of a prisoner exchange on the third day of a truce. A source close to Hamas has indicated that they are willing to prolong the ceasefire. The transfers, taking place under a four-day truce that began on Friday, have brought some relief to the families of the captives who were taken during Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7. The attack led to severe Israeli bombardments on the Gaza Strip.
Israeli officials have confirmed that 17 hostages have returned to Israeli territory following the latest release. One of the hostages, an elderly woman in her 80s, has been admitted to the hospital due to life-threatening conditions. US President Joe Biden has announced that a four-year-old American girl named Abigail, whose parents were killed by Hamas during the attacks, has been among those freed.
The release of the 17 hostages, including three Thai nationals, occurred outside the terms of the truce. Hamas has stated that Ron Krivoy, a Russian-Israeli, was released in response to the efforts of Russian President Vladimir Putin and his support of the Palestinian cause. Israeli authorities claim that the Hamas operatives killed around 1,200 Israelis and foreigners. In response, Israel launched a military campaign resulting in the deaths of nearly 15,000 people, mostly civilians and including thousands of children, according to Gaza’s Hamas government.
With the latest releases on Sunday, a total of 39 Israelis have been freed since the start of the truce. In return, 39 Palestinian prisoners were released on Sunday, in addition to the 78 others who were freed over the past two days. On Friday, Hamas surprised everyone by releasing 10 Thais and a Filipino separately from the main deal.
A video released by Hamas’ armed wing on Sunday evening showed the hostages entering vehicles before arriving in central Gaza City, which has been devastated by Israel’s offensive. A crowd hailed the Hamas fighters upon their arrival.
Pressure has been mounting on Israel to extend the truce, which has been mediated by Qatar, the United States, and Egypt. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna stated that it would be helpful and necessary to extend the truce until all the hostages, including French nationals, are freed. President Biden expressed a similar hope for the extension, emphasizing the need to provide humanitarian relief to those in need in Gaza.
A source close to Hamas revealed that the group is willing to extend the current truce by two to four days. The source stated that the resistance movements believe it is possible to secure the release of 20 to 40 Israeli prisoners during that time. The truce mandates the release of 50 hostages held by Hamas in exchange for 150 Palestinian prisoners. If at least 10 Israeli captives are released each day, the truce will be extended automatically.
Israeli leaders, however, have tempered expectations of a lasting halt to the offensive. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated, “We continue until the end – until victory,” during his visit to Gaza on Sunday. He pledged to free all the hostages and eliminate Hamas. Netanyahu’s visit marked the first time an Israeli premier has visited Gaza since 2005.
Residents of Gaza, who have endured weeks of bombardment, have begun to return to their destroyed homes. Many expressed their exhaustion and the loss they have experienced. In the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis, residents received a text message from Israeli forces warning them that hostages were being held in the area. The message stated that the army would neutralize anyone involved in the kidnapping.
The pause in fighting has allowed more aid to reach Palestinians who are struggling with water and other essential shortages. However, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has warned of unprecedented humanitarian needs. Adnan Abu Hasna, a spokesperson for UNRWA, stated that at least 200 lorries per day would be required for continuous aid delivery for two months. The UN estimates that 1.7 million out of Gaza’s 2.4 million people have been displaced by the fighting.
