The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which enabled the release of hostages, prisoners, and emergency aid access in the Gaza Strip, entered its fourth and final day on Monday amidst negotiations to extend it.
In a statement on Sunday night, the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas indicated that it was seeking to extend the ceasefire beyond its four days in order to increase the number of prisoners released as stipulated in the agreement.
A source close to Hamas relayed to AFP that the Palestinian movement informed the mediators that they were okay with a two-to-four-day extension.
The agreement, brokered by Qatar with the support of the U.S. and Egypt, and which came into effect on Friday, builds upon a four-day ceasefire to release 50 hostages in Gaza in exchange for 150 Palestinians imprisoned in Israel, as well as providing for the entry of several hundred trucks transporting humanitarian, medical, and fuel aid into Gaza.
The deal also stipulates that in exchange for the release of around thirty Palestinian prisoners held captive in Israel, the truce will be extended by one day for every ten additional hostages freed.
Hamas released a group of 17 hostages on Sunday, including Israeli and foreign nationals. In turn, Israel released 39 Palestinian prisoners—mainly teenagers–who were freed later on Sunday.
Since Friday, 39 hostages have been released under the agreement, as well as 117 Palestinian prisoners, at a ratio of one hostage to three prisoners.
Nine minors, all under the age of 17, were included on the list, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said.