Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend the temporary cease-fire in Gaza for a seventh day, as announced by the Qatari government on Thursday. This extension comes just before the previous two-day agreement was set to expire. While the truce remains effective in Gaza, where the war initiated by Hamas on October 7 has temporarily halted, tensions persist in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Jerusalem due to ongoing violence.
Israeli police reported three fatalities in a shooting attack at a crowded Jerusalem bus stop. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, a member of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s cabinet, swiftly attributed the incident to Hamas. He stated, “These are apparently Hamas operatives who speak with two voices — one voice of a so-called cease-fire and a second voice of terror.” The two gunmen were reportedly killed by Israeli soldiers at the scene.
In a subsequent statement, Hamas seemed to express support for the attack, if not claiming responsibility outright. The statement mentioned the operation as a response to what Hamas referred to as Israel’s “unprecedented occupation crimes” during the paused military operation in Gaza, the killing of two children in the West Bank, and alleged violations against Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.
Earlier on Thursday, Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, Majed Al-Ansari, confirmed the continuation of the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas for at least one more day under the established parameters. These parameters include the release of additional hostages by Hamas and the release of Palestinian prisoners by Israel. The extended truce also permits several hundred more humanitarian aid trucks to enter Gaza.
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on social media that, considering ongoing mediation efforts for the potential release of more Hamas-held hostages, the “operational pause” in the fighting in Gaza would persist. Israeli intelligence receives a daily list of hostages expected to be released by Hamas.
The short-term cease-fire, initiated on November 24 and initially planned for four days, has now been extended for a seventh day. The extension was agreed upon after intense discussions in Doha involving Qatari, Egyptian, and U.S. mediators, with both Israel and Hamas indicating openness to a new deal.
Under the existing arrangement, approximately three Palestinian prisoners are released in the West Bank for every one hostage freed. The released hostages so far have been women and children, though future deals may include men.
Tensions in the West Bank have escalated, marked by the cheering reception of freed prisoners and, in some instances, the display of Hamas flags. On Wednesday, two Palestinian boys, aged eight and 15, were reportedly killed by IDF forces during a raid in the West Bank town of Jenin.
Despite the clashes and violence outside Gaza, the temporary cease-fire has facilitated the release of dozens of hostages, receiving international acclaim. Sixteen hostages, including an American woman, were released by Hamas on Wednesday, bringing the total number to about 100 since the cease-fire’s commencement. In return, 210 Palestinians, including 30 on Wednesday, have been released from Israeli prisons, according to Qatar.
Netanyahu stated on Wednesday that once all hostages are returned by Hamas, Israel’s operations in Gaza will resume, emphasizing a commitment to continue fighting until the end. The conflict, initiated by Hamas’ invasion on October 7, resulted in over 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, according to the Israeli military. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry reports almost 15,000 deaths in Gaza due to Israel’s retaliatory ground incursion and airstrikes.
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