The ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has been extended for at least two more days. This deal was brokered by the Foreign Ministry in Qatar.
A spokesperson for Qatar said this on X: “The State of Qatar announces, as part of the ongoing mediation, an agreement has been reached to extend the humanitarian truce for an additional two days in the Gaza Strip.”
During the ceasefire, hostages have been exchanged on both sides. Israel requested at least 10 hostages to be released per day of the ceasefire but warned that the military is using this time to regroup. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said that the military would be fighting “throughout the Gaza strip” when the ceasefire is over.
“You will meet something that is a little more prepared, so they will meet the bombs of the air force first, and after that the shells of the tanks and artillery, and the paws of the D9 (armored bulldozer), and finally the shooting of the infantry fighters,” he said.
This comes as Israeli newspapers have reported that at least two Israeli army officers were dismissed for withdrawing from battle in Gaza. Soldiers are reporting that they “were not prepared when entrusted with this mission.” According to The Cradle, “other officers said the soldiers were sent without being given the chance to rest properly following extensive military activity in the Gaza Strip.”
They are calling this a “crisis of confidence.” Or put another way: a natural human instinct to not want to fight and kill.
