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Eight Israeli hostages freed in Gaza as fragile truce nears deadline
Eight more hostages have been released from captivity in the Gaza strip – on what could be the last day of the week-long temporary truce. Mediators, like the United States, say they’re working to extend it, but so far have not reached a deal.
The fragile truce is set to expire in the early hours Friday morning and if a deal isn’t struck, it could lead to renewed fighting in Gaza.
Eight more Hamas-held hostages were released Thursday, the last group expected to be freed under the current truce agreement.
Roughly 140 hostages are believed to remain in Hamas captivity.
Israel is set to release another 30 Palestinian prisoners in exchange.
While Qatar and the U.S. are still pushing for another extension, the U.S. is now urging Israel to take concrete steps to reduce civilian deaths before it resumes its offensive.
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That includes designating safe areas for civilians, avoiding further displacement of people and giving refugees the option to return to the north.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met with Israeli leaders Thursday, but didn’t say anything about if they will commit to those steps.
“The way Israel defends itself matters. Its imperative that Israel act in accordance with international humanitarian law and the laws of war, even when confronting a terrorist group that respects neither,” said Blinken.
“In my meetings with the prime minister and senior Israeli officials, I made clear that before Israel resumes major military operations, it must put in place humanitarian civilian protection plans that minimize further casualties of innocent Palestinians.”
Blinken also said the temporary truce has allowed the U.S. to more than double their shipments of humanitarian aid into Gaza, but he says its still not enough to meet the needs of the people.
United Nations and many neighbouring countries continue to call for a permanent ceasefire.
