Israel-Hamas Mediators Work to Extend Truce, More Captives to Be Freed

Israel-Hamas Mediators
Work to Extend Truce, , More Captives to Be Freed.
The Israel-Hamas truce agreement was set to expire
on Nov. 29 after being extended for two days.
However, mediators in Qatar are attempting to
secure the release of more captives by prolonging
the cease-fire for another 48 hours, NPR reports. .
On Nov. 29, another 10 Israeli hostages are
expected to be released by Hamas in
exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners.
On Nov. 29, another 10 Israeli hostages are
expected to be released by Hamas in
exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners.
The day before, 10 Israelis and two Thai people
were exchanged for 30 Palestinians, NPR reports. .
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
believes that out of the 240 hostages taken
by Hamas last month, 161 are still being
detained by the militant group.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
believes that out of the 240 hostages taken
by Hamas last month, 161 are still being
detained by the militant group.
On Nov. 29, an Israeli official said that
"Israel has consistently said that as long as
more hostages are released, it would address
the possibility of further extending the pauses.".
Hamas reportedly told mediators that
they would agreed to extend the truce
for another four days, NPR reports. .
According to the U.N. Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA).
"airstrikes, shelling and ground clashes
have largely ceased" since the beginning
of the truce on Nov. 24.
But "exchange of fire reportedly took place between
Israeli forces and Palestinian armed groups in the
Beit Hanoun area, in the north, and Israeli forces reportedly used tank fire at open areas in the south.".
On Nov. 27, U.N. Secretary-General António
Guterres pushed for "a full humanitarian
cease-fire, for the benefit of the people of
Gaza, Israel and the wider region."