In a last-minute move, Israel and militant group Hamas agreed to extend their truce through Thursday, allowing for the release of more hostages held in the Gaza Strip.
The agreement came from Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, which has been mediating the truce negotiations, just minutes before the ongoing truce was set to expire. Extensions are contingent upon existing conditions set by the initial truce, including Hamas releasing 10 Israeli hostages per day in exchange for the release of 30 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel prisons.
The Israeli military confirmed the extension.
“The operational pause will continue in light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the framework,” Israel’s military wrote on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Israel said the truce can be extended until Hamas no longer agrees to release hostages. But the government emphasized that they would go back to bombarding Gaza if the militant group decides to end the releases.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken returned to Israel on Thursday for the third time since the fighting broke out Oct. 7, in hopes of extending the cease-fire in Gaza.
“From day one, we have been focused relentlessly on trying to secure the release of hostages from Gaza, from Hamas,” he said in remarks with Israel President Isaac Herzog. “And we have seen over the last week the very positive development of hostages coming home, being reunited with their families, and that should continue today.”
He added that the truce “is producing results” in releasing hostages and getting humanitarian aid into Gaza. Blinken said he hopes it will continue.
The Associated Press reported that negotiations between Israel and Hamas are growing tougher as the militant group has released most of the women and children held captive. The militants have signaled that they may want more in exchange for releasing the men and soldiers taken hostage, the AP noted.
In its latest wave of releases, Hamas freed 14 hostages — including a second American citizen. In total, 73 Israelis, including dual nationals, and 24 foreign nationals have been freed during the truce, as have more than 200 Palestinian prisoners held in Israel, all women and teenagers.
More than 1,200 Israelis were killed and another 240 were captured by Hamas during the Oct. 7 surprise attack. Since then, Israel has targeted the Gaza Strip, with the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry saying that more than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed in the attacks.
Israeli police said two gunmen opened fire on people waiting for buses near Jerusalem on Thursday, just as the agreement between Hamas and Israel was being announced. Israel officials said that at least three people were killed in what Herzog called “a serious terror attack.”
The Associated Press contributed.