The Hamas movement in Gaza indicated a willingness to extend the humanitarian pause beyond the initial four-day window if Israel agrees to widen the exchanges and release more detainees as outlined in the humanitarian ceasefire framework. A spokesperson for the Islamic Resistance Movement emphasized that Hamas aims to prolong the ceasefire through the end of the four-day period and to significantly expand the number of prisoners released under the deal, signaling a preparedness to negotiate more deeply on the scale of hostage releases and prisoner exchanges. The statement underscored that any extension would hinge on practical progress in delivering relief to civilians and advancing humanitarian access in high‑risk areas, while preserving the terms agreed upon by both sides.
On November 22, talks between Israel and Hamas centered on a humanitarian pause that would include a staged release of captives. The initial phase was designed to span four days and to exchange 50 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli facilities for 150 Palestinian prisoners detained in Gaza. Officials signaled that the deal could foresee additional releases in a potential second phase, contingent on compliance with the ceasefire and on the successful facilitation of humanitarian aid corridors. The agreement further proposed to extend the four-day ceasefire by one day for every 10 hostages released, a mechanism that links freedom for detainees with the duration of the pause and the ongoing humanitarian operations in the region. Hamas also pledged that two captured Russian nationals would be released immediately once hostilities cease, subject to verification and mutual commitments.
The ceasefire arrangement received formal endorsement and became officially effective on November 24, with the parties agreeing to initiate the first tranche of measures, including the withdrawal of some combat restrictions by both sides and the activation of monitored humanitarian access. The mechanism aimed to create a buffer that would allow aid workers to reach affected communities, with the expectation that a reduction in violence would translate into a broader release process and more stable conditions for civilians on the ground. Humanitarian organizations stressed the importance of sustained aid flow and protected facilities, while international observers urged both sides to maintain the pause and adhere to the agreed sequence of steps, including verification procedures and prisoner exchange timelines documented in the accord.
In the immediate aftermath of the agreement, Israel’s military leadership signaled a continued commitment to counterterrorist objectives in Gaza even as the ceasefire took effect. IDF officials indicated that while the pause would be respected for the duration of its term, the force would resume military operations if violations occurred or if hostilities intensified, stressing that the security threat would be addressed through ongoing countermeasures and strategic planning. Analysts observed that the arrangement sought to balance security concerns with humanitarian needs, attempting to minimize civilian harm while preserving the ability to respond to any renewed aggression.
Statements from Israeli political leadership reflected a determination to neutralize Hamas’s military capabilities, with assurances that any actions taken beyond the pause would be guided by security assessments and the evolving situation on the ground. The discourse surrounding the ceasefire highlighted the complexity of achieving durable quiet in a conflict zone where political imperatives, regional dynamics, and unpredictable battlefield developments continuously interact. Observers noted that the success of the arrangement would heavily depend on consistent adherence by all parties, the credibility of the monitoring mechanisms, and the willingness to sustain dialogue even as difficult questions about governance, humanitarian access, and mutual accountability remain unresolved.