Egypt hopeful of Gaza truce extension

Egypt hinted that the four-day truce would be prolonged by one or two days, and Hamas was scheduled to free a second batch of Israelis on Saturday as part of an agreement to allow the exchange of 50 hostages for Palestinian inmates.

If nothing unexpected happens, 13 Israeli captives should be released on Saturday, according to an Israeli military spokesman who talked to French TV BFM. In exchange, 39 Palestinian inmates will also be released.

Prior to this, sources close to Egyptian security claimed to have gotten the names of fourteen Israeli women and children from Hamas and were awaiting further information.

Under the terms of the truce agreement, crucial aid has resumed entering the Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing, which is controlled by Egypt. The country also reported that it had received “positive signals” from all sides regarding a potential extension of the agreement.

Egypt’s State Information Service (SIS) chief, Diaa Rashwan, said in a statement that Cairo was in intensive negotiations with all sides in hopes of reaching a deal that would allow for “the release of more detainees in Gaza and Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails.”

As per the current agreement, 150 Palestinian prisoners—some of whom have been found guilty of serious offences and weapon charges—will get 50 hostages in exchange over the course of four days. It was Friday when the first interaction happened.

Although U.S. President Joe Biden stated there was a genuine possibility of the truce being extended, both parties have stated that hostilities would resume as soon as it ends.

Israel has pledged to annihilate Hamas after its forces stormed past security barriers surrounding the Gaza Strip and rampaged through Israeli settlements surrounding the blockaded enclave, killing 1,200 people and taking about 240 captives.

According to Palestinian health authorities, since then, Israel has dropped bombs on Gaza, killing around 14,000 Palestinians, about 40% of whom were youngsters.

The break in the almost continual air and artillery assaults has given many of the 2.3 million residents of the small Gaza Strip their first opportunity to travel around securely, assess the damage, and apply for access.

(With agency inputs)