Truce Extended in Gaza as More Hostages Set for Release

Israel and Hamas have agreed to extend the truce through Wednesday, with both sides set to release more prisoners.

After initially hitting a snag on Monday, the last day of truce initially agreed, the swap of captives went ahead. Hamas reportedly released 11 of the hostages taken during 7 October attacks against Israel, bringing the total of released hostages up to 70. Of these, 51 are Israeli citizens and 19 are foreign citizens.

In exchange, Israel reportedly released a total of 150 Palestinian prisoners. Most of them are teenagers who were being held without charge nor trial under the controversial administrative detention system.

“The Government has approved the inclusion of 50 female prisoners in the list of prisoners eligible to be released in the event that a release of additional Israeli hostages is carried out,” a statement by the Israeli Prime Minister’s office reads.

Both sides have indicated hostilities will resume as soon as the exchange is no longer viable under the current terms.

Humanitarian Aid ‘Barely Registers’

As well as the release of hostages, this truce allows for the delivery of humanitarian aid in the Gaza Strip, where an estimated 80 percent of its population has been internally displaced. Shortages of fuel, food, water and medical supplies compound the humanitarian crisis caused by the attacks.

US President Joe Biden commented on Monday, “I have consistently pressed for a pause in the fighting to accelerate and expand the humanitarian assistance going into Gaza and facilitate the release of hostages. I remain in contact with leaders of Qatar, Egypt, and Israel to make sure every aspect of the deal is implemented.”

The United Nations did scale up the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, with some of the aid even reaching the devastated north, where the Israeli army has mounted its ground offence. However, a statement from the UN Secretary-General’s office said on Monday that this aid “barely registers against the huge needs of 1.7 million displaced people”.

“The humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza is getting worse by the day. The dialogue that led to the agreement must continue, resulting in a full humanitarian ceasefire, for the benefit of the people of Gaza, Israel and the wider region.”