Israel-Hamas War: Ceasefire In Gaza Extended For A Day For Release Of Hostages

On Thursday (30 November), Israel and Hamas decided to prolong the temporary ceasefire in the Gaza war by at least an additional day, just moments before the six-day truce was set to end.

In a statement, the Israeli military announced that the ceasefire would persist while negotiators attempted to secure the release of additional hostages in Gaza.

"The operational pause will continue in light of the mediators' efforts to continue the process of releasing the hostages and subject to the terms of the framework," the Israeli Military said.

The ceasefire, which was originally set for four days, has provided the first break in the Israeli assault on Gaza. Much of the coastal strip, home to 2.3 million people, was turned into a wasteland in retaliation to a terror attack by Hamas terrorists on southern Israel on 7 October.

In a statement, Hamas, which released 16 hostages in return for 30 Palestinian prisoners on Wednesday, announced that the ceasefire would extend into its seventh day.

Previously, the Palestinian terror group that govern Gaza claimed that Israel had declined their offer to accept seven additional women and children, along with the bodies of three other hostages, in return for a truce extension.

Both sides had said they were ready to resume fighting.

In retaliation to the 7 October violent outbreak, where Israel says that Hamas terrorists killed over 1,200 people and held over 240 people hostage, Tel Aviv has pledged to obliterate Hamas, the governing body of Gaza.

Prior to the ceasefire, Israel carried out a seven-week-long bombardment on the region, resulting in the death of over 15,000 Palestinians, according to the Hamas controlled Gaza health ministry.