The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas is entering its fourth and final day
This Monday (27), Hamas released the last group of hostages provided for in the agreement signed with Israel in return for a ceasefire in attacks in the Gaza Strip, according to the Portal news agency, which learned from a source among Palestinians. The Red Cross confirmed and announced that eleven hostages were on their way to Israeli territory.
The Qatari Foreign Ministry said that the eleven people included the following nationalities:
- Six Argentines.
- Three Germans.
- Two Frenchmen.
This was the fourth group of hostages released under the initial ceasefire provided for in the agreement. But the ceasefire, which would expire in the early hours of Tuesday (28), was extended by another two daysas announced this Monday by the Qatari government and Hamas.
The Israeli government said it could extend the ceasefire by one day for every 10 more hostages released by Hamas.
On Saturday (25), the Israeli newspaper Haaretz stated that Hamas had found 10 to 20 more hostages who could potentially be released. Should the scenario materialize, the ceasefire is expected to last until Wednesday (29).
US President Joe Biden said on Sunday (26) that representatives of North America and Qatar are trying to extend the pause as long as possible.
“Our goal is to maintain this pause beyond tomorrow.” [27/11]so we can continue to see more hostages released and send more humanitarian aid to those in need in Gaza,” Biden said.
Israel has already stated that the war is not over and that it will resume military operations once the ceasefire period expires.
On October 7, gunmen from the terrorist group Hamas crossed the border fence between the Gaza Strip and Israel, killing 1,200 people and capturing around 240 people, according to Israeli statements.
On the same day, Israel declared war on Hamas and began attacking the Gaza Strip. According to Hamasaffiliated Palestinian health authorities, around 13,000 Gazans have been killed by Israeli bombings, around 40% of them children (these figures have not been independently verified).
Palestinian health services said it had become increasingly difficult to keep counts up to date as health services were impacted by Israeli bombings.
Before the ceasefire on Friday (24), fighting was even more intense than normal. Israeli fighter jets struck more than 300 targets and troops were involved in fighting around Jabalia, north of Gaza City.
An army spokesman said operations would continue until troops were ordered to stop. Clouds of smoke could be seen over the border fence in Israel hanging over the war zone in the northern Gaza Strip, accompanied by heavy gunfire and thunderous explosions.
Israel says Hamas militants are using residential buildings and other civilian buildings, including hospitals, as cover. Hamas denies this.