In the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict, a temporary truce has been extended for a seventh day, bringing a cautious sense of relief to the region. The Hamas-affiliated Shehab News Agency reported that more hostages were released this Wednesday, signaling a potential shift towards de-escalation.
The Israeli military confirmed the extension, stating that the truce will continue "in light of the mediators' efforts to continue the process of releasing hostages and subject to the terms of the agreement." This extension comes as the initial deal was set to expire at 0500 GMT on Thursday.
Adding to the diplomatic efforts, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Tel Aviv early Thursday. His discussions with Israeli leaders focused on maintaining the truce with Hamas and facilitating the provision of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip. Blinken's visit highlights the international community's role in supporting peace initiatives and addressing the humanitarian needs arising from the conflict.
As day 56 of the conflict unfolds, the extension of the truce offers a momentary pause in hostilities, providing hope for further negotiations and additional hostage releases in the coming days.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
