Diplomatic Efforts Intensify as Israel-Gaza Truce Nears Conclusion

As the clock ticks down on the Israel-Gaza truce, diplomatic activities have surged with both Israel and Hamas outlining their conditions for a potential extension. With the four-day pause in the conflict set to conclude on Monday, statements from key players, including Israel, Hamas, and the United States, underline the crucial need for prolonging the truce.

Negotiations have entered a critical phase as the parties consider a fourth captive-prisoner swap. Israel has indicated its willingness to halt its offensive in Gaza for one additional day in exchange for the release of 10 captives. However, Israel has also affirmed its commitment to continue the fight until achieving what it terms "victory."

U.S. President Joe Biden expressed his hope on Sunday for the continuation of the temporary truce, emphasizing the importance of ongoing captive releases. Meanwhile, Palestinian group Hamas, in a recent move, released 17 more individuals, including a four-year-old Israeli-American girl.

Biden stated in a press conference, "Extending the truce is my goal, that’s our goal, to keep this pause going beyond tomorrow so that we can continue to see more secure the release of captives and increase the delivery of humanitarian aid to those in need in Gaza

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is scheduled to visit Israel on Monday before attending a NATO foreign ministers’ meeting in Brussels, where discussions on the Gaza crisis are expected.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in communication with Biden, acknowledged the captive release discussions. However, he made it clear that, at the truce's end, Israel intends to return with full force to achieve its goals of eliminating Hamas and securing the release of all captives.

Hamas has expressed its willingness to extend the pause in fighting, contingent on serious efforts to increase the number of Palestinian detainees released by Israel. The group desires a cessation of hostilities "as long as prisoners keep coming out."

The Palestinian Authority has reported collaborative efforts involving Qatar, Egypt, the U.S., the EU, and Spain to extend the truce. Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki suggested that the current truce might be extended for "one, two, three days," but the exact duration remains uncertain.