Ceasefire between Israel and Hamas extended for two more days

Thus, every day since the four-day ceasefire began on Friday, Hamas has released some hostages while Israel has freed some Palestinian prisoners it holds.

Hamas militants hand over 11 more hostages to the International Committee of the Red Cross at an undisclosed location in the Gaza Strip on November 27, 2023. Photo: Hamas Army

“An agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian ceasefire in the Gaza Strip by two days,” a Qatari foreign ministry spokesman said. Meanwhile, the Israeli military confirmed that 11 hostages had been released by Hamas and had arrived in Israel.

Qatar said the newly freed hostages all had dual Israeli and foreign citizenship, including three French, two German and six Argentinian nationals. Hamas had earlier said it had received a list of 33 Palestinian prisoners to be freed from Israeli prisons, including three women and 30 minors.

Thus, after four hostage exchanges, Hamas has freed a total of 69 people since Friday, including both Israelis and non-Israelis.

Under the terms of the four-day truce, Hamas is expected to release a total of 50 Israeli women and children held hostage in Gaza. There is no limit in the agreement on the number of foreigners who can be freed.

In the latest update, an Israeli spokesman said the total number of hostages still being held in Gaza was 184, including 14 foreigners and 80 Israelis with dual citizenship. The White House said between seven and nine US citizens were still being held.

Palestinians in northern Gaza have been able to resume some daily activities during the ceasefire days. Photo: AP

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the ceasefire extension as "a glimmer of hope and humanitarian relief", but said the two-day period was insufficient to meet Gaza's aid needs.

“I really hope that this will allow us to further increase humanitarian aid to the people in Gaza who are suffering so much…”, he told reporters.

Palestinians in Gaza earlier said they were praying for an extension to the ceasefire. Some returned to homes destroyed by weeks of heavy Israeli bombardment, while others lined up to receive flour and other essential aid delivered by the UN aid agency UNRWA.

Displaced Palestinian woman Um Mohammed said life remained difficult for those in northern Gaza, which has suffered heavily from both Israeli air and ground attacks.

“People are there looking for food,” she said. “People want to live, to ensure their safety in the coming days, because they are scared, so they are trying to ensure what they can. And if you ask them if they are at peace, no.”

Hoang Anh (according to Reuters, CNN, AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/thoa-thuan-ngung-ban-israel--hamas-keo-dai-hai-ngay-them-11-con-tin-duoc-giai-thoat-post274229.html