Israel and Hamas are negotiating through intermediaries to extend the ceasefire in Gaza once again, Reuters reported on November 29, citing sources. The current temporary ceasefire is set to expire at the end of the day on November 29.
According to Israel's Kan television, the families of the hostages were informed that one person would be released by Hamas by the end of November 29. This will be the last hostage release before the ceasefire ends.
Palestinian prisoners are released by Israel in the West Bank on November 28, as part of a ceasefire agreement with Hamas. (Photo: Reuters)
A Palestinian official told Reuters that while both sides were willing to extend the ceasefire, no agreement had been reached. The official said discussions were ongoing with Egyptian and Qatari mediators.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office declined to comment on the status of any talks, but said 50 Palestinian women detained in the country were released on November 28.
Hamas has so far released 60 hostages, including women and children, out of 240 people it captured in a raid on October 7. Under the initial ceasefire agreement on November 24, Hamas will gradually release Israeli hostages in exchange for the freedom of Palestinian prisoners - mainly women and children.
Hamas also released 21 foreign hostages in separate negotiations.
The initial ceasefire lasted for four days from November 24 to November 27, then was extended for another 48 hours until November 29. Israeli authorities said they were willing to extend the ceasefire as long as Hamas released 10 hostages per day.
According to Israeli statistics, the ceasefire brings a temporary respite for both sides since Israel launched a ground military campaign in the Gaza Strip.
According to Palestinian health officials, Israel's air campaign has left much of Gaza leveled and killed more than 15,000 people, 40 percent of them children.
Tra Khanh (Source: Reuters)
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