In a race against time, Israel and Hamas engaged in talks through intermediaries on Wednesday to secure another extension of the Gaza truce. The negotiations unfolded with only hours remaining before the cessation of hostilities was set to conclude after a six-day pause.
As part of the ongoing negotiations, Gaza militants have released 60 Israeli women and children, among the 240 hostages seized in a deadly incident on October 7. The deal, which initially secured the first truce, saw the release of 180 Palestinian security detainees by Israel, primarily comprising women and teenagers.
Among the freed hostages were 21 foreigners, predominantly Thai farmworkers, released under separate parallel agreements. The families of Israeli hostages were informed on Wednesday of the names of those scheduled for release, marking the final group unless negotiators succeed in extending the truce.
In a reciprocal move, Gaza’s Hamas rulers published a list of 15 women and 15 teenagers set to be released from Israeli jails. Notably, for the first time since the truce began, the list included Palestinian citizens of Israel alongside residents of the occupied territory.
Despite a mutual willingness to prolong the truce, a Palestinian official informed Reuters that no agreement had been reached as discussions continued with mediators in Egypt and Qatar.
Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy expressed Israel’s openness to considering any serious proposals but refrained from providing further details. Levy emphasized the sensitivity of the negotiations, stating, “We’re talking about very sensitive negotiations in which human lives hang in the balance.”
Once the hostage release phase concludes, the resumption of fighting is anticipated. Levy asserted, “This war will end with the end of Hamas.” The situation remains dynamic as negotiators work towards a potential extension of the Gaza truce.