Israel and Hamas agree to extend truce for two more days, according to Qatar
Truce in Gaza Extended for Two Days
Exciting news emerged on Monday as mediator Qatar announced that a truce between Israeli and Hamas forces in Gaza has been extended for an additional two days. This extension comes as a relief after seven weeks of devastating warfare that has claimed thousands of lives and left the Palestinian enclave in ruins.
The Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson took to social media platform X to share the good news, stating, “An agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian truce for an additional two days in the Gaza Strip.”
Hamas, too, confirmed their agreement to the two-day extension, thanks to the facilitation of Qatar and Egypt, who have been conducting indirect negotiations between the two sides. However, there has been no immediate response from Israel.
A Hamas official revealed in a phone call with Reuters, “An agreement has been reached with the brothers in Qatar and Egypt to extend the temporary humanitarian truce by two more days, with the same conditions as in the previous truce.”
Prior to these statements, Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service, had hinted at an imminent extension agreement. He mentioned that the deal would also involve the release of 20 Israeli hostages held by Hamas since their assault on southern Israel on October 7. In return, 60 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails would be set free.
The initial truce was set to expire on Monday night, but with the release of 11 Israeli hostages expected on that day, negotiations are still ongoing for the release of 33 Palestinians.
Last week’s truce marked the first pause in the fighting that has raged for seven weeks since Hamas launched its attack on Israel. According to Israeli reports, the attack resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the capture of approximately 240 hostages, who were taken back into Gaza.
In response, Israel launched a relentless bombardment of the enclave and initiated a ground offensive in the north. Gaza health authorities report that around 14,800 Palestinians have been killed, and hundreds of thousands have been displaced. The Israeli air strikes and artillery bombardments have left wide areas of the Hamas-ruled enclave in ruins, leading to a dire humanitarian crisis with shortages of food, fuel, drinking water, and medicine.
On a positive note, Hamas has released a total of 58 people, including a 4-year-old Israeli-American girl, since Friday. Israel, in return, has freed 39 teenage Palestinian prisoners, bringing the total number of Palestinians released under the truce to 117.
(Reporting by Reuters bureaus; writing by Lincoln Feast and Gareth Jones; editing by Nick Macfie and Angus MacSwan)
What role did Egypt and Qatar play in facilitating the negotiations for the extension of the ceasefire?
Ealed that the extension of the truce was reached through intense discussions and negotiations. He explained that both Hamas and Israel expressed a willingness to extend the ceasefire, but the details and terms of the extension are still being worked out. The official emphasized the importance of Egypt and Qatar’s role in facilitating the negotiations and expressed hope that a more comprehensive and long-term ceasefire agreement could be achieved in the near future.
The temporary truce, which went into effect on August 10th, has provided a much-needed reprieve for the people of Gaza, who have been subjected to relentless airstrikes and artillery bombardments. The truce has allowed humanitarian aid to be delivered to those in need and has given Gaza’s residents an opportunity to assess the damages and start rebuilding their lives.
During the seven weeks of violence, over 2,000 Palestinians, including many civilians, have been killed, and thousands more have been injured. On the Israeli side, 67 soldiers and six civilians have lost their lives. The destruction caused by the relentless bombings has left the region devastated and in urgent need of reconstruction and rehabilitation.
International efforts to broker a permanent ceasefire and address the root causes of the conflict are ongoing. The United Nations, along with other international bodies, has been actively involved in the mediation process, working towards a long-term solution for peace in the region.
The extension of the truce for an additional two days is seen as a positive step towards reaching a more comprehensive ceasefire agreement. However, there is still a long road ahead in order to achieve a lasting peace between Israel and Hamas. The international community must continue to exert pressure on all parties involved to prioritize diplomacy and dialogue over violence and aggression.
As the negotiations continue, it is crucial that the well-being of the civilian population remains at the forefront of all discussions. Both sides must take steps to prevent further loss of life and ensure the delivery of essential humanitarian aid to those who need it most.
The temporary extension of the truce in Gaza is a glimmer of hope in an otherwise bleak situation. It provides an opportunity for the people of Gaza to rebuild their shattered lives and for the international community to intensify their efforts towards a sustainable and lasting peace in the region.
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