Hamas signals willingness to extend ceasefire while Biden urges Israel of civilian caution: 10 points

As the week-long ceasefire between Israel and Hamas entered its eighth day on Thursday, a source close to the militant group signalled openness to further extensions of the temporary calm. The truce has already enabled limited exchanges – dozens of Israeli hostages for over 200 Palestinian prisoners captured since the ceasefire began on November 24.

According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza, more than 13,300 Palestinians have perished over nearly a month of destructive warfare sparked by an initial incursion from Gaza. Israel has reported close to 1,200 deaths, predominantly during that first phase which forced vast displacement under rocket fire.

Israel Hamas War latest updates 

1. A Hamas source indicated they would extend the ceasefire with Israel, just before the latest truce was set to expire. Mediators pushed for another day-long pause, then further extensions. This comes after two last-minute renewals allowed both sides on Thursday to mark 7 days of a Qatari-brokered truce. The deal saw an exchange of hostages and prisoners as well as humanitarian aid entering Gaza.

2. An Israeli official stated they would restart military operations unless Hamas releases more hostages as agreed upon. An Israeli military spokesperson said they await additional hostage releases per the agreement. Overnight, Israel insisted on implementing the Hamas deal to free women and children captives. Israel will do the same tomorrow, while mediators Qatar and Egypt must also uphold the deal to continue the truce. The spokesperson quoted the Israeli forces as prepared to attack again if needed.

3. On Thursday, US Secretary of State Blinken cautioned Israeli PM Netanyahu against repeating the scale of civilian casualties when operations resume in Southern Gaza. Blinken pushed Israel to establish protected zones for Palestinians before undertaking major military actions there.

4. After Hamas militants killed Israelis in Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated intent to destroy Hamas, after a US Secretary of State Antony Blinken. 

“I told him that it is the same Hamas. I told him we have sworn, and I have sworn, to destroy Hamas. Nothing will stop us," Netanyahu said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:

"I have just concluded a meeting with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, shortly after Hamas murderers murdered people here in Jerusalem. I told him that it is the same Hamas. pic.twitter.com/xyXOvMLU5l

— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 30, 2023

5. Meeting Blinken, Israel’s Defense Minister Gallant pledged to fight Hamas in Gaza indefinitely until it prevails. He thanked Blinken and President Biden, noting aligned goals to defeat Hamas, end its governance and military capacity, and rescue hostages.

In my meeting with Defense Minister @yoavgallant, I reaffirmed the United States’ support for Israel’s right to protect itself in compliance with international humanitarian law, while urging that Israel take all possible measures to avoid civilian harm. pic.twitter.com/FySUTFQPhb

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) November 30, 2023

6. On Thursday, Hamas freed 8 Israeli hostages in Gaza after a last-minute truce extension, while Israel released 30 Palestinian prisoners. Talks continue to renew the pause in violence. The freed hostages included 6 women and 2 teens.

Later Hamas released another six other hostages and transferred them to the Red Cross, as per the Israeli military.

7. The White House condemned the deadly Jerusalem bus stop attack by Palestinian gunmen, calling it a stark reminder of Israel’s enemy. The gunmen had shot two people dead who were for buses along a main highway entering Jerusalem waiting

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby, however, said that the attack did not violate the terms of the ceasefire and they expressed hope for extending the Gaza truce beyond 7 days.

8. The International Criminal Court (ICC) chief prosecutor, Karim Khan will visit Israel per Israeli victims' families' request. Khan is also expected to visit Ramallah in the occupied West Bank to meet with senior Palestinian officials. Last month families asked the court to investigate Hamas’s actions.

9. The Israeli military fired an interceptor missile following an aerial identification over Southern Israel. An open area alert was activated over falling shrapnel concerns as the incident is probed.

10. The US House passed a measure to block Iran from accessing $6 billion recently unfrozen by the US in a recent prisoner swap. Republicans pushed for the block in response to the alleged hand of the country in the deadly attack of Hamas on Israel.