Truce between Israel and Hamas set to expire as new hostage negotiations stall
By Nidal al-Mughrabi, Mohammed Salem, Roleen Tafakji, and Emily Rose
A truce between Israel and Hamas was set to expire as time ran down on efforts to prolong a six-day pause in fighting and an exchange of hostages and prisoners held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners.
As the ceasefire was about to end, Israeli military spokesman Doron Spielman said no agreement had been reached regarding the next hostages to be released, leading to fears that military operations against Hamas in the Gaza Strip may resume. Hamas had earlier released 16 hostages in exchange for 30 Palestinian prisoners on Wednesday, but Israel had refused to receive a further seven women and children and the bodies of three other hostages in exchange for extending the truce, the militant group said.
Hamas’ armed wing told its fighters in the Gaza Strip to be ready to resume battle with Israel if the temporary truce is not renewed.
Before the truce, Israel bombarded the territory for seven weeks and killed more than 15,000 Palestinians, according to health authorities in the coastal strip.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who arrived in Tel Aviv early on Thursday, said he would be focused on extending the pause in fighting and boosting humanitarian aid into Gaza. U.S. President Joe Biden was determined to secure the release of all hostages held by Hamas, the White House said in a statement.
Meanwhile, Jordan will host a conference attended by the main U.N., regional and international relief agencies on Thursday to coordinate aid to Gaza, and China urged the U.N. Security Council to formulate a “concrete” timetable and roadmap for a two-state solution to achieve a comprehensive, just, and lasting settlement of the Palestinian issue.
The ceasefire and release of hostages and prisoners was mediated by Qatar, another country pushing for an extended truce.
U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned of an “epic humanitarian catastrophe” in the Gaza Strip and called for a ceasefire to replace the temporary truce. Ramping tensions between Israel and Hamas have amplified global concerns, with leaders across the world working to secure an agreement that would prevent a renewed and devastating cycle of violence.