The ceasefire in Gaza is set to be prolonged for an additional 48 hours, as announced by both Hamas and Qatar

The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip is set to be prolonged by an additional two days, as announced by both Hamas and Qatar on Monday. This extension opens opportunities for further exchanges of hostages and prisoners.

With the original “humanitarian pause” nearing its end early Tuesday, Hamas confirmed that the truce would continue for another 48 hours under the same conditions. There was no immediate confirmation from Israel regarding this extension, which U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres praised as a hopeful sign amid the war’s darkness.

Qatar, with backing from the United States and Egypt, has played a critical role in facilitating and extending this truce in Gaza.

According to Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson Majed Al Ansari, the agreement to extend the ceasefire for two more days has been reached, aiming to continue the releases in Gaza.

Hamas, which governs Gaza, stated it is preparing a new list of hostages to be released, following its cross-border raid last month that ignited the latest conflict. On the final day of the initial four-day truce, the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed families about the identities of hostages scheduled for release.

Israel’s strategic pause in hostilities allows Hamas to release more hostages captured since the October 7 attack, which reportedly resulted in the deaths of 1,200 Israelis. The conflict has also led to almost 15,000 deaths in Gaza, predominantly Palestinian civilians, according to Gaza’s Hamas government.

Amid global calls to extend the ceasefire, including from US President Joe Biden, EU envoy Josep Borrell, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the truce aims to facilitate humanitarian aid in Gaza and further releases of captives.

As part of the ceasefire deal, Hamas has released 39 Israeli hostages, including a four-year-old orphaned in the October attack, with more expected. Israel has released 117 Palestinian prisoners under the agreement, and 19 foreign nationals have been freed by Palestinian militants.

President Biden expressed his goal to maintain the ceasefire beyond its current deadline to continue facilitating hostage releases and humanitarian aid to those in need.

The White House welcomed the agreement to extend the truce, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby emphasizing the importance of further extensions dependent on Hamas’s continued release of hostages.

The EU’s Borrell urged for the ceasefire’s prolongation, calling for a sustainable and lasting peace while seeking a political solution to the conflict.

Despite the ceasefire, Hamas-run health facilities in northern Gaza have reported shortages of fuel for generators, and Gaza City’s mayor warned of a potential public health crisis due to the lack of fuel for water and waste management.

A French warship has arrived in El-Arish, Egypt, near the Gaza border, to provide medical assistance to wounded civilians.

Meanwhile, Israel remains determined to continue its military campaign, with Netanyahu vowing to persist until victory is achieved. His office has proposed a significant war budget, and he has pledged to free all hostages and eliminate Hamas.

In response to these developments, U.N. rights experts have called for independent investigations into potential war crimes and crimes against humanity committed since October 7 in Israel and the Palestinian territories.