Israel-Hamas truce in Gaza extended by two days, says mediator Qatar
Israel and Hamas will be extended by two days, mediator Qatar said on Monday as the initial four-day truce in Gaza was set to expire.
«The State of Qatar announces, as part of the ongoing mediation, an agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian truce for an additional two days in the Gaza Strip,» said Qatari foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari said on X.
Over the course of the humanitarian pause and in weeks prior, Qatar, with the support of the United States and Egypt, has been engaged in intense negotiations to establish and prolong the truce in Gaza, which mediators had said was designed to be broadened and expanded.
The announcement comes on the final day of a four-day truce between the warring sides, as they were preparing for a fourth exchange of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel.
On Sunday, Hamas freed 17 more hostages — 14 Israelis and three Thais — in a third exchange under the four-day truce. In turn, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners.
Israel has indicated it will prolong the ceasefire for each release of 10 additional hostages.
Hamas is also expressing a desire to extend the truce. The agreement has led to increased deliveries of fuel and supplies to Gaza, although aid organizations argue that it remains insufficient to meet the needs of the 2.3 million Palestinians enduring the impact of Israeli siege and bombardment.
More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, roughly two thirds of them women and minors, according to the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilians and combatants.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that he intends to continue the military campaign
