TOPLINE
Israel and Hamas on Thursday agreed to extend an ongoing temporary ceasefire by an additional day, just minutes before it was set to expire, a move that will allow for continued negotiations on the release of more hostages from Gaza in exchange for Palestinians held in Israeli prisons.
KEY FACTS
The extension was announced by the Qatari Foreign Ministry—which is mediating discussions between the two sides—just minutes before the ceasefire agreement was set to expire at 7 a.m. local time.
The extended truce maintains the same conditions both sides had agreed to previously where Hamas will release at least 10 Israeli hostages every day in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners.
Qatari officials said efforts for permanent ceasefire agreement are still ongoing.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office said it has already informed the relatives of hostages who are expected to be released on Thursday, with Haaretz reporting that the list could include eight women and children.
This is a developing story.