In a recent development, Israel and Hamas have jointly decided to prolong a temporary ceasefire for an additional two days, as officially stated by the White House. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby provided confirmation of this extension and highlighted that Hamas has committed to releasing an additional 20 hostages within this timeframe.
The ongoing hostage situation involves more than 50 individuals, with a majority being women and children, released by Hamas. Simultaneously, Israel has freed over 100 Palestinian prisoners. Despite these positive steps, the White House is advocating for a more extensive pause to ensure the safe release of all hostages.
As per current estimates, fewer than ten Americans are believed to remain in captivity under the control of the militant group Hamas. The situation is fluid, and diplomatic efforts continue to address the complexities surrounding the release of all hostages and to foster a lasting peace in the region.
