Hamas Open To A Possible Truce Extension

By Janet Ekstract ISTANBUL- Both Israel and Hamas appear to be leaning toward an extension of the four-day truce which ends early Tuesday morning. Hamas has indicated that it’s open to negotiating the release of additional hostages and so far, more than 100 Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel. That was in return for the release of at least 58 hostages that Israel and the U.S. sought to get released. As U.S. President Joe Biden told the press on Sunday: “That’s my goal, that’s our goal, to keep this pause going beyond tomorrow so that we can continue to see more hostages come out and surge more humanitarian relief into those in need in Gaza.” Biden added: “I get a sense that all the players in the region are looking for a way to end this, so the hostages are all released and…Hamas is completely no longer in control of Gaza.” A source told Agence France-Presse (AFP) that Hamas told mediators they are open to extending the truce for “two to four days.” A source close to the movement said: “The resistance believes it is possible to ensure the release of 20-40 Israeli prisoners.” For every 10 Israeli captives released, the truce will extend an extra day, according to the agreement set up between Israel and Hamas.