A close associate of Hamas told Agence France-Presse that there is openness to extending the ceasefire in the ongoing conflict with Israel, a report that was carried by RIA News. The information highlights the delicate diplomacy shaping humanitarian pauses amid expanding violence, with voices inside and outside the region weighing options for additional relief.
On Thursday morning, Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced a one-day extension of the humanitarian pause in Gaza, projecting a deadline of 07:00 local time on Friday. The continuation of the halt was framed as a window for aid deliveries and for safe movement of civilians under severe strain in Gaza. Mediators continued to work toward arranging another extension after that period, with discussions aimed at extending the ceasefire for several days beyond the initial hour, contingent on security guarantees and humanitarian access.
The broader conflict escalated when thousands of Hamas militants crossed from the Gaza Strip into Israel on October 7, marking a move that followed Hamas’s declaration of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, the Israeli government signaled a full mobilization for war, framing the move as a defense against a coordinated assault. The Israeli leadership stated its objectives as neutralizing the threat posed by Hamas, rescuing hostages, some of whom are foreign nationals, and restoring security for Israeli civilians.
To meet those aims, Israel launched extensive rocket and air operations targeting sites in the Gaza Strip from the outset of the campaign. Concurrently, Israel authorized decisions within its security framework that affected civil supplies to Gaza, including controls on water, food, essential goods, electricity, and fuel. Humanitarian aid began moving toward Gaza through established corridors, with the Rafah crossing serving as a key channel, though aid flows remained constrained and unevenly distributed as the situation deteriorated on the ground.
By late October, Israel indicated plans to expand the ground phase of its operation in Gaza. While the exact timing of the ground actions remained uncertain, large numbers of Palestinians had already relocated to shelters in the southern parts of the territory in anticipation of intensified fighting. By early November, Israeli forces had reportedly surrounded major urban centers, including Gaza City, complicating access to central areas and further affecting civilian life as supplies were disrupted. The dynamics of the ground operation and the surrounding humanitarian dilemma continued to unfold under close international scrutiny.
Earlier communications noted that Hamas had begun releasing hostages, underscoring the ongoing, highly charged negotiations and tactical considerations that accompany such a conflict. The interplay between military actions and humanitarian pauses remains a central feature of the crisis, shaping international responses and regional diplomacy as mediators seek to balance security concerns with the imperative to protect civilians.