Originally meant to expire on Monday, the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been extended by at least two days. During the first four days of the ceasefire, 69 hostages abducted on 7 October, including 50 Israelis and 19 foreign nationals were freed by Hamas. In return, Israel freed 120 Palestinian prisoners, many incarcerated for terrorism offences. The deal also included a substantial increase in humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip.
Across the two added days of ceasefire, Hamas has agreed to release 20 additional hostages. It is likely that, following this extension, with about 170 hostages remaining in Gaza, the sides will agree to prolong the ceasefire.
It seems likely that this ceasefire will carry on, although it’ll be a bumpy road
The release of hostages has, so far, not gone smoothly. As part of Hamas’s psychological warfare against Israel, on Saturday shortly before the release was due to take place, the terror organisation declared that they were refusing to release hostages.
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