From the Liveblog of
Sunday, November 26, 2023
Hamas formally expresses desire to extend truce beyond initial four days
Jacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
Hamas announces in a statement that it is seeking to extend the truce beyond the initial four-day period in order to secure the release of additional Palestinian prisoners.
Thus far, 117 Palestinian prisoners have been released, and some 40 are expected to be released tomorrow, but Israel has a list of 150 more that it could release in the context of an extended truce.
This appears to be the first time that Hamas has formally expressed its desire to extend the truce past Monday.
With every additional day of pause in fighting, Hamas will have to release a further 10 hostages.
The deal approved by the Israeli cabinet says it can be capped at a maximum of 10 days and 300 prisoners released before it will require a new vote by ministers.
The Times of Israel Community.