In a surprising turn of events, a four-day cease-fire between Hamas and Israel has been extended by two days, according to Qatari officials. This announcement comes after the release of dozens of hostages who were taken captive by Hamas during their surprise attack on Israel in October.
During the past few days, a total of 58 hostages, including 40 Israelis and 18 foreign citizens, have been released by Hamas. In exchange, 117 Palestinians were released from Israeli prisons. The release of these hostages has been seen as a positive step towards peace and a potential resolution to the ongoing conflict between the two sides.
You may also like to watch : Who Is Kamala Harris? Biography - Parents - Husband - Sister - Career - Indian - Jamaican Heritage
On Thursday, it is expected that ten Israeli hostages and 30 Palestinian prisoners will be freed as part of the extended truce. Egyptian-Qatari mediation efforts are ongoing, with the aim of further extending the truce and facilitating the release of more hostages and prisoners.
However, amidst these positive developments, tragedy struck in Jerusalem on Thursday morning. A shooting at a bus stop resulted in the deaths of three people and injuries to 16 others. Two heavily armed assailants drove up to the bus stop, opened fire on civilians, and were subsequently killed by two off-duty Israeli soldiers and a civilian. Israeli authorities have identified the gunmen as terrorists, and Hamas has claimed responsibility for the attack in response to what they perceive as Israel’s “unprecedented crimes.”
Despite this act of violence, the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas has been extended. The Israel Defense Forces announced the extension, citing the ongoing efforts of mediators to secure the release of more hostages. Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson also confirmed the news and stated that efforts are being intensified to reach a permanent ceasefire.
In the midst of these developments, President Joe Biden has announced that American-Israeli dual national Liat Beinin Atzili, one of 16 hostages released from Gaza on Wednesday, is safe in Egypt. Biden expressed his relief and stated that Atzili will soon be reunited with her three children.
You may also like to watch: Is US-NATO Prepared For A Potential Nuclear War With Russia - China And North Korea?
The release of hostages and the extension of the cease-fire are seen as positive steps towards peace in the region. However, the situation remains fragile, and further efforts are needed to secure a permanent resolution to the conflict between Hamas and Israel.
