Hamas Seeks Extension of Truce: Israel and US Hopeful, but Volatility Looms

Hamas Seeks Extension of Truce and Hostage Agreement, Israel and US Express Hope Hamas announced on Sunday night its desire to extend the ongoing truce and hostage agreement between Israel and the terror group. The initial four-day ceasefire, mediated by Qatar, is set to end on Monday night. Hamas hopes to secure the release of more Palestinian security prisoners jailed by Israel. The agreement stipulates that 50 women and children taken hostage by Hamas during their October 7 attack must be freed in exchange for 150 Palestinian female and underage security prisoners.

Israel has already released 39 hostages and 117 Palestinian prisoners as part of the deal. US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan expressed hope that the truce will be extended for several more days, but emphasized that the decision lies with Hamas. He stated that Israel has set conditions for the extension, indicating that the ceasefire could be prolonged for every 10 additional hostages released from Hamas. However, Sullivan also acknowledged that the truce has allowed Hamas to regroup and use social media as propaganda.

Despite this, he highlighted the significance of families being reunited and the possibility of all hostages eventually being released. Shortly after Hamas's announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed that he is open to extending the truce, but emphasized that the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) will resume their ground operation once the ceasefire ends. The IDF launched an aerial campaign followed by a ground incursion into Gaza in an effort to root out Hamas. The truce has allowed thousands of displaced Gazans to attempt to return to their homes, but the IDF has made it clear that the pause is only temporary. In a separate incident, Israeli forces killed seven Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including two minors and at least one gunman.

The deaths occurred in the city of Jenin, where the Israeli military raided to detain a Palestinian wanted for alleged involvement in a lethal West Bank ambush. The Jenin Brigades, a local armed group, stated that its fighters engaged with Israeli troops during the raid. The Israeli military reported that five armed terrorists were killed in the confrontation. The surge in violence in the West Bank coincides with the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The West Bank has seen an increase in tensions as Palestinians seek statehood.

Approximately 200 West Bank Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops or settlers since the October 7 Hamas attack that triggered the Gaza war. Conversely, four Israelis have been killed by Palestinians in the West Bank during the same period. Overall, Hamas's desire to extend the truce and hostage agreement will be subject to negotiations between the parties involved. The US and Israeli governments expressed hope for an extension, emphasizing the potential benefits of continued progress towards releasing the remaining hostages. However, the situation remains volatile, as evidenced by the recent violence in the West Bank. The conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of reaching a swift resolution, with both sides prepared to continue their respective military campaigns.