Qatar, acting as a mediator in the Israel-Hamas conflict, has announced the extension of the temporary cease-fire for an additional day. This extension, communicated on Thursday morning, was confirmed just moments before the original cease-fire deadline.
Under the terms of the extension, Israel has agreed to prolong the truce by one day for every 10 hostages released by militants. The cease-fire, which commenced on November 24 and was initially set to conclude on Monday, has temporarily halted what has been the most severe fighting between Israel and Palestinians in years.
The conflict, triggered by a Hamas attack on October 7 in southern Israel, led to the capture of approximately 240 hostages. Since then, the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry in Gaza reports over 13,300 Palestinian fatalities, without distinguishing between civilians and militants. In Israel, about 1,200 people have lost their lives, predominantly during Hamas’s initial incursion.
The truce’s extension was a last-minute decision, following intense negotiations concerning the exchange of hostages. Qatar reported that the truce would continue under previously established terms, with Hamas releasing 10 Israeli hostages daily in return for 30 Palestinian prisoners.
Early on Thursday, Israel freed another group of Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 16 hostages released by Hamas. Among the Palestinians released was Ahed Tamimi, a 22-year-old activist renowned for a 2017 viral video showing her confronting an Israeli soldier.
Israeli forces arrested Tamimi on November 6 for alleged “incitement to terrorism” on social media, a claim her mother contends was due to a hacked account. Meanwhile, the Israeli army confirmed the death of Ofir Tzarfati, previously believed held hostage in Gaza.
Tzarfati was thought to be among those captured during the October 7 attack while celebrating his 27th birthday at a music festival. It was during this event that Hamas militants killed at least 364 attendees and abducted several others.
In a separate incident, two gunmen attacked a busy Jerusalem bus station, resulting in at least three fatalities and multiple injuries. The attackers, armed with a handgun and an M16 rifle, were neutralized by soldiers near the bus stop. Jerusalem police are investigating the attackers’ origins and affiliations, as well as the potential impact of this attack on the Gaza truce.
The bus station, previously targeted by a bomb a year ago, witnessed the immediate death of a 24-year-old woman and a subsequent fatality at the hospital.
