The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) declared an extension of the ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, less than 20 minutes before the expiration of the latest ceasefire agreement.
"In light of the mediators' endeavors to sustain the hostage release process as per the framework agreement terms, the operational pause in the Gaza Strip will continue," stated the military.
In response, Hamas also affirmed the extension of the truce with Israel in the Gaza Strip for another day. "It has been decided to extend the truce for a seventh day, which is Thursday," the movement said in a statement published on its official Telegram channel.
Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced the extension of the ceasefire between Israel and the Palestinian Hamas movement for another day, maintaining the same conditions. Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al Ansari confirmed the agreement, stating, "The Palestinian and Israeli sides reached an agreement to extend the humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip for another day (Thursday) under the same conditions as before, namely a ceasefire and the delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave. The agreements were reached through the mediation of Qatar, Egypt, and the US." He added that Qatar would persist in its efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire in the enclave.
On November 22, Hamas reported reaching an agreement with Israel, brokered by Egypt and Qatar, on a four-day humanitarian truce in the Gaza Strip, which went into effect on November 24. The agreements called for the release of children, teenagers (under 19 years of age), and women held in the enclave in exchange for the release of children and teenagers (also under 19 years of age) and women from Israeli prisons.
On November 27, the parties agreed to extend the truce for two more days under the same conditions, meaning that three Palestinian prisoners would be released daily in exchange for each released Israeli hostage. The deadline expired at 07:00 local time (08:00 Moscow time) on Thursday.
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Photo: Al Jazeera English/Creative Commons 2.0
Based on materials from TASS