Israel and Hamas Extend Truce, Free More Hostages and Prisoners Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend their cease-fire for two more days, according to the Qatari government. This extension brings the possibility of a longer halt to their deadliest and most destructive war, with additional exchanges of militant-held hostages for Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. The announcement was made by Qatari Foreign Ministry spokesman Majid Al Ansary on the final day of the original four-day truce. A fourth swap of hostages for prisoners was expected to take place on the same day. Israel has stated that it will extend the cease-fire by one day for every 10 additional hostages released. After the Qatari announcement, Hamas confirmed that it had agreed to the two-day extension under the same terms. However, Israel remains committed to crushing Hamas’ military capabilities and ending its 16-year rule over Gaza after its attack into southern Israel on October 7. This could mean expanding the ground offensive from northern Gaza to the south, where hundreds of thousands of Palestinians have sought refuge in United Nations shelters. Israel has made it clear that it will resume its operations with full force once the current deal expires if Hamas does not agree to further hostage releases. The goal is to eliminate the group and free the remaining captives. So far, 58 hostages have been released during the current truce, including 39 Israelis. Prior to the truce, four hostages were freed, one was rescued, and two were found dead inside Gaza. The release of hostages and prisoners is a significant development, particularly after weeks of national trauma caused by the abduction of around 240 people by Hamas and other militants. Scenes of women and children reuniting with their families have rallied Israelis behind calls to return those who remain in captivity. The hope is that all hostages will be brought back home. The latest exchange of hostages and prisoners occurred on Sunday when Hamas freed 17 hostages, including 14 Israelis, and Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners. Most of the hostages appeared to be physically well, but there were a few cases of inadequate care resulting in life-threatening conditions. One hostage, an 84-year-old woman, had to be airlifted to a hospital due to her deteriorating health. The freed Palestinian prisoners were mostly teenagers accused of throwing stones and firebombs during confrontations with Israeli forces or of less-serious offenses. It is important to note that many Palestinians view prisoners held by Israel, including those implicated in attacks, as heroes resisting occupation. While the truce has provided some respite, the destruction and suffering caused by weeks of Israeli bombardment are undeniable. More than 13,300 Palestinians have been killed since the war began, with two-thirds of them being women and minors. On the Israeli side, over 1,200 people have been killed, mostly civilians who were victims of the initial attack. The destruction is evident in the leveled neighborhoods and the overcrowded UN shelters, where more than 1 million Palestinians are currently seeking shelter. Although the truce has allowed for the delivery of food, water, and medicine to increase, it is still far from meeting the needs of the affected population. The aid provided is insufficient, and many families are still unable to retrieve their loved ones from under the rubble left by Israeli airstrikes. The situation is dire, with long lines forming outside stations distributing cooking fuel, and local markets and gas stations being overwhelmed by desperate crowds. The respite provided by the truce is necessary for the delivery of humanitarian aid and for the continued negotiations between Israel and Hamas. However, it is clear that there is still a long way to go in terms of rebuilding and restoring normalcy to the lives of the affected population. The hope is that a longer cease-fire can be achieved, allowing for a more comprehensive resolution to the conflict.