By Maria Ortiz
Nov 30, 2023, 01:12 AM EST
A temporary truce between Israel and Hamas has been extended to a seventh day, the Israel Defense Forces said Thursday morning. Hamas also confirmed the extension of the truce.
This is the second extension of the initial four-day truce that began on Friday.
The six-day cessation of fighting in Gaza was due to end at 7am local time (5am GMT) on Thursday, and follows the release of a group of 16 other hostages held by Hamas on Wednesday night in exchange of 30 Palestinian prisoners.
Since the pause began last week, 210 Palestinian, 73 Israeli and 24 foreign prisoners have been released, according to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. An Israel Defense Forces spokesman said Wednesday that 159 hostages remain in Gaza. They include US citizens.
Liat Beinin, 49, a dual American-Israeli citizen, was among 12 Israeli and four Thai hostages freed Wednesday.
President Biden wrote of her release: “Jill and I are deeply pleased that she will soon be reunited with her three children and her father, who have been tormented by concern for her safety.”
The conditions of the ceasefire, including the cessation of hostilities and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, they remain the same, according to a spokesperson for Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, which has been a key mediator between the warring sides, along with Egypt and the United States.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv on Thursday, on his third trip to the region since the October 7 attack, to discuss a possible extension of the pause in fighting.
President Joe Biden was determined to ensure the release of all hostages held by Hamas after American Liat Beinin was freed on Wednesday, the White House said in a statement.
The United States is urging Israel to reduce the combat zone and clarify where Palestinian civilians can seek safety during any Israeli operations in southern Gaza, U.S. officials said Wednesday, to avoid a repeat of the massive death toll from the attacks. of Israel in northern Gaza.
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