Two-Day Truce Extension Agreed Between Israel and Hamas: Qatar

Credit: Reuters / Mohamed Salem

In a move breathing further temporary relief for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Qatar and Hamas announced on Monday evening a two-day extension of the humanitarian truce between Israel and Hamas. The announcement comes as the initial four-day ceasefire neared expiry.

“The State of Qatar announces that, 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 Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Meanwhile, Hamas confirmed that a truce had been agreed and thanked Qatar and Egypt for their efforts to secure the extension. Israel, however, has not released any statements regarding the extension.

Earlier on Monday, Diaa Rashwan, the head of Egypt’s State Information Service, said that an extension was close to being agreed to between Hamas and Israel and would see the release of sixty Palestinians and 20 Israelis held by Israel and Hamas respectively.

The extension of the truce will enable the continued flow of medical supplies, food and fuel to the Gaza Strip, which has been critical in providing much-needed support to the two million Palestinians residing there, half of whom have been displaced.

During the first four days of the truce, 39 Israelis and 117 Palestinians were released by Hamas and Israel respectively. A further 11 Israelis and 33 Palestinians are expected to be released later on Monday night.

THE CONFLICT SO FAR 

After a surprise attack conducted on 7 October by Hamas on a number of southern Israeli towns, which resulted in the deaths of an estimated 1,200 people and more than 220 being taken hostage by Hamas, Israel launched a retaliatory bombing campaign against what it describes as ‘terrorist targets’ in the Gaza Strip.

At least 14,500 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip — including at least 5,500 children — and over 32,000 others injured. Meanwhile, at least 225 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank and more than 2,700 injured. The death toll is no longer being regularly updated due to the collapse of the enclave’s health system.

Israel and Hamas reached an agreement on 22 November, announcing a four-day cessation of hostilities to facilitate the release of 50 hostages held in Gaza, 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, and the entry of humanitarian aid. The truce began on 24 November.

During an event in support of Palestine at Cairo International Stadium, President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed that the forced relocation of Palestinians is a “red line” for Egypt, and will not be accepted.

The priority of the Egyptian government since the beginning of the conflict has been deescalation and the securing of a path for aid to enter the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing.