Israel and Hamas extend temporary ceasefire in Gaza by one day: More hostages to be released

The Israeli army informs via Twitter/X that the ceasefire with Hamas will continue. '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 army reports.

Hamas confirms ceasefire extension. The deadline for extending the ceasefire expired at 6 am CET. Qatar's foreign ministry said the extension of the pause is for one day and that efforts will continue to secure a more extended ceasefire.

Meanwhile, the Israeli government has announced that it has received a new list of names of women and children held hostage in Gaza who are to be released on Thursday in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. According to the Times of Israel, the list includes six women and two children.

More hostages released

A few hours earlier, during the night from Wednesday to Thursday, 30 more Palestinian prisoners were released from Israeli jails, as agreed between Israel and Hamas. The prisoners were released after Hamas freed 16 Israeli hostages in Gaza earlier on Wednesday.

Qatar, which is acting as a mediator in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, said earlier that the 30 Palestinian prisoners to be released included 16 minors and 14 women. One of them is 22-year-old Palestinian militant Ahed Tamimi.

In the past days, 180 Palestinians have been released. Hamas has now released 102 hostages.

^{© John MACDOUGALL / AFP}