Humanitarian pause may be extended by day or two: Israeli media

ISTANBUL

The humanitarian pause and hostage swap agreement between Hamas and Israel, which is set to expire on Thursday morning, may be extended for another day or two, Israeli media said on Wednesday.

A summit in Doha, attended by officials from Qatar, Egypt, Israel, and the US, discussed the possibility of extending the humanitarian pause, the Israeli Broadcasting Authority reported, citing a statement issued by Israeli authorities following the meeting on Tuesday.

However, the main obstacle is Hamas's demand for a complete cessation of hostilities, which Israel opposes, according to the broadcaster.

Participants in the Doha meeting discussed a new agreement between Israel and Hamas under which all the hostages in Gaza, including soldiers, would be released, the broadcaster said.

On the other hand, Israel will release a significant number of prisoners and commit to a long-term pause, it added.

Late Monday, Qatar announced an agreement to extend a four-day humanitarian pause in fighting between Israel and Hamas for an additional two days, during which more prisoner exchanges will take place.

Israel launched a massive military campaign in the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

It has since killed over 15,000 people, including 6,150 children and 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.

* Writing by Ziad Aslan