Israel and Palestine Enter Second Ceasefire, "Additional Extension Until Next Month 2"

On the Fifth Day of the Ceasefire, Hamas Releases 12 Hostages

Israel and the Palestinian armed faction Hamas have come close to an agreement to further extend the ceasefire period following the release of hostages. If the agreement is finalized, the ceasefire period will be extended by two more days until the 2nd of next month, making the total ceasefire duration eight days.

On the 28th (local time), Times of Israel and other sources cited insiders saying that Israel and Hamas have in principle agreed to extend the ceasefire by two more days under the same conditions as the previous agreement. An Israeli official stated, "It has not been finalized yet," but added, "The matter is under review."

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released photos on the 28th (local time) showing soldiers surveying the surroundings in the Gaza Strip, Palestine. The Israeli side had previously warned that after a four-day temporary ceasefire ends, they would enter a battle lasting at least two months. [Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

On the same day, William Burns, Director of the U.S. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), and David Barnea, Director of Israel's Mossad, held a tripartite meeting in Qatar with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani, Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Qatar, to discuss the ceasefire.

The Qatari Ministry of Foreign Affairs explained that the focus was on "further extending the ceasefire." Notably, Abbas Kamel, Director of Egypt's General Intelligence Directorate, who is regarded as playing a key mediating role in the agreement between Israel and Hamas on the exchange of hostages and prisoners for the ceasefire, reportedly attended the meeting.

The Israeli daily Haaretz described Kamel's participation in the Qatar talks as "unprecedented," emphasizing the significance of this meeting and the likelihood of an agreement.

Israel and Hamas began a four-day ceasefire on the 24th and have agreed to extend it by two days. If extended by an additional two days, the total ceasefire period will be eight days, ending at 7 a.m. on the 2nd of next month. Some speculate that the ceasefire could even exceed the 10-day maximum period that Israel had initially set.

A senior diplomatic source commented on the possibility of extending the ceasefire, saying, "If there is a concrete proposal, the (Israeli) cabinet will consider it, but nothing like that has been presented yet," according to Israeli media outlet Ynet. "If it is a serious proposal, it will be reviewed."

U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken arrived at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland on the 27th (local time) to depart for Brussels, Belgium, where the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) foreign ministers' meeting is being held. Secretary Blinken arrived in Brussels on the same day and is scheduled to visit Israel and the West Bank later this week.
[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

While Israel and Hamas are discussing extending the ceasefire period following the release of hostages, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is set to visit Israel and the West Bank again.

Secretary Blinken arrived in Brussels the day before for the NATO foreign ministers' meeting. According to a State Department official, his visit to the Middle East is scheduled for later this week after the NATO agenda.

The official stated, "Secretary Blinken will emphasize the need to maintain the momentum of increased humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip, secure the release of all hostages, and improve protection for civilians within Gaza." This will be Blinken's fourth visit to Israel since the Israel-Hamas war began on October 7th.

Meanwhile, on the fifth day of the ceasefire, Hamas released 12 additional hostages. The Israeli military announced via social media platform X that "According to information provided by the Red Cross, 12 individuals, including 10 Israeli hostages and 2 foreign nationals, are en route to Israel."

If they arrive safely in Israel, the total number of Israeli hostages released from Gaza since the temporary ceasefire began on the 24th will reach 60. Israel, which has released a total of 150 Palestinian prisoners since the ceasefire started, plans to release an additional 30 prisoners on the same day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.