Israeli Army, Hamas say Gaza Truce Extended
Israeli Army:
Israel and Hamas jointly announced on Thursday the extension of the Gaza ceasefire, just moments before the initial six-day truce was set to expire.
The Israeli military stated that the pause in hostilities would persist as mediators worked towards securing the release of additional hostages held in Gaza, contingent upon the framework’s terms.
Originally slated for four days, the extended truce provided a brief respite from the intense bombardment of Gaza, a response to a deadly incursion by Hamas militants into southern Israel on October 7.
Israeli army “ In light of the brokers ’ sweats to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the frame, the functional pause will continue, ” the Israeli statement declared, released just twinkles before the temporary truce was listed to conclude.
Israeli army Hamas, having released 16 hostages in exchange for 30 Palestinian captures the day ahead, vindicated in a statement that the truce would persist for a seventh day.
The militant group asserted that Israel had declined to accept an additional seven women and children, along with the bodies of three other hostages, in exchange for extending the truce. Both sides had previously expressed readiness to resume hostilities.
Israel, responding to the October 7 attack, which it claims resulted in 1,200 deaths and 240 hostages taken, has pledged to dismantle Hamas, the governing authority in Gaza.
Prior to the truce, a seven-week Israeli bombardment of the territory led to the reported death of over 15,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in Gaza.
