In the Middle East, work is underway to extend the truce. Possible standoff for hostage baby Kfir

The end of the truce between Hamas and Israel is approaching, but mediators, led by Egypt and Qatar, are working to reach a new extension that will allow for the release of other hostages and continued access for humanitarian aid to the Strip. Gaza. Doha is confident in the success of the operation, Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari made clear, saying he was “very optimistic” that “we will have good news to share today.” The main international actors continue to defend an extension. From the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres, who called for “a true humanitarian ceasefire”, to Pope Francis, who hoped “that the ongoing truce in Gaza will continue”. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in turn, assured: “We will focus on doing what we can to prolong the truce.” For Israel, the precondition remains obtaining the release of other hostages, even if the ceasefire (for Tel Aviv) cannot last forever.

“As long as we have the lists of our abductees, we will continue for a maximum period of 10 days,” an Israeli official said, while Hamas said it favored a four-day extension. Tel Aviv also reportedly asked that the next lists of people to be released also include men, in addition to women and children. Meanwhile, militiamen took steps to free two Russians kidnapped in the October 7 attacks. An ‘extra’ release compared to the one agreed today with Israel which, according to the group’s political leader, Mousa Abu Marzook, represents “a tribute to Russian President Vladimir Putin”. The two Russians join the 10 Israelis who, according to the Jerusalem Post, have already been handed over to the Red Cross to return to the Jewish State. The progress of negotiations, however, could be delayed by the news, released by the Al Qassam brigades, of the death of little Kfir Bibas, the youngest of the hostages at the hands of Palestinian militiamen. The child, Hamas said, was killed with his 4-year-old brother Ariel and mother Shiri during the Tel Aviv attacks.

Statements whose validity the Israeli army is verifying, reiterating that Hamas is “entirely responsible for the safety of the hostages”. Among those released in recent days is elderly Yocheved Lifshitz, 85, who said he saw Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar during his captivity and asked him “how come he was not ashamed”. Negotiations are running out of time, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant warned: “Our forces in the air, at sea and on the ground are ready for an immediate resumption of fighting.” While Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recalled that the objective of the military campaign is to eliminate Hamas so that it “will never again be a threat to Israel”. While Gaza waits to find out what its fate will be, Israeli operations continue in the West Bank. An operation took place in Jenin, with the Palestinian Ministry of Health reporting the murder of two minors, aged 8 and 15, by occupation forces. Tel Aviv, however, took responsibility for eliminating two senior militia commanders, including Muhammad Zabeidi, leader of the Jenin brigades, responsible (according to Tel Aviv) for two shootings in May in which a civilian died and some soldiers were injured. .