-
Advertisement
Israel-Gaza war
WorldMiddle East

Israel-Hamas truce extended for 2 days as more hostages released from Gaza

  • Truce between Israel and Hamas in Gaza that was on the verge of expiring extended until Thursday morning
  • After releasing 11 Israelis from Gaza on Monday, Hamas has freed 69 of the about 240 hostages it holds

Reading Time:4 minutes
Why you can trust SCMP
15
Hostages being handed over by Hamas militants in this screengrab taken from video released November 27. Photo: Hamas Military Wing via Reuters
Agence France-Presse

A truce between Israel and Hamas will be extended by two days, mediator Qatar said hours before the pause was due to end Tuesday, as more hostages were freed from Gaza in exchange for the release of dozens of Palestinian prisoners.

“The Palestinian and Israeli sides have reached an agreement to extend the humanitarian pause in Gaza for two additional days under the same conditions,” Qatar’s foreign ministry said in a statement on X, formerly Twitter.

Militant group Hamas also confirmed the extension, though there was no official word from Israel.

Advertisement

The extension came as 11 more hostages were freed from Gaza, along with the release of another 33 Palestinian prisoners - the last exchange under the existing deal.

Palestinian Muhammad Abu Al-Humus, who was released from jail in exchange for hostages. Photo: AFP
Palestinian Muhammad Abu Al-Humus, who was released from jail in exchange for hostages. Photo: AFP

The extension of the truce was welcomed internationally, with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres calling it “a glimpse of hope and humanity in the middle of the darkness of war”.

Advertisement

The truce has paused fighting that began when Hamas militants poured over the border into Israel, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and kidnapping dozens, according to Israeli officials.

Advertisement
Select Voice
Select Speed
1.00x