Israel and Hamas agree to extend temporary ceasefire

Israel and Hamas agreed to extend a temporary ceasefire for the seventh day.

After six days of ceasefire, the Israeli army and Hamas announced an agreement to extend it in the Gaza Strip for a seventh day. According to the Qatari Foreign Ministry, the seventh day of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas will be held with the previous preconditions, and the Qatari Foreign Ministry will continue its efforts to achieve a permanent ceasefire in Gaza.

Hamas issued a statement on Thursday, December 29, announcing that Israel had rejected the proposed handover of a new group of female and child prisoners in exchange for extending the ceasefire under the previous conditions.

The United States, Qatar, and Egypt are the countries that brokered the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. They are also trying to speed up the process of exchanging prisoners, which includes Israeli soldiers captured by Hamas, by extending the ceasefire, as so far the exchange has only included women and children.

The aforementioned countries are trying to meet Israel's demand for the release of 10 prisoners per day, thereby extending the ceasefire.