Israel and Hamas extend Gaza truce, minutes before it was due to end
- Mediators seal another truce extension to allow more hostage-prisoner exchanges, prolong halt to fighting
- Israel released more Palestinian prisoners on sixth day of Gaza truce after Hamas freed 16 hostages
A truce between Israel and Hamas was extended on Thursday just before it was due to expire, the two sides announced, with mediator Qatar reporting it would continue for one day under the same conditions that saw hostages released in exchange for prisoners.
Minutes before the halt in fighting was due to expire at 7am local time in Gaza (1pm Hong Kong time), Israel’s military said the “operational pause” would be extended.
“In light of the mediators’ efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the framework, the operational pause will continue,” it said.
The prime minister’s office subsequently confirmed the extension, saying it had received a new list of hostages.
“A short time ago, Israel was given a list of women and children in accordance with the terms of the agreement, and therefore the truce will continue,” it said, without specifying for a time frame.
Hamas said there was an agreement to “extend the truce for a seventh day”, without further details.