Negotiations between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by mediators, were in progress on Wednesday to potentially extend the Gaza truce.
With just hours remaining before the scheduled resumption of hostilities after a six-day pause, Gaza militants had already released 60 Israeli women and children, part of the 240 hostages taken on October 7.
In parallel agreements, 21 foreigners, mainly Thai farmworkers, were freed. Israel reciprocated by releasing 180 Palestinian security detainees, comprising women and teenagers.
The final group set to be freed unless an extension is agreed upon was reported to the families of Israeli hostages.
While both sides expressed a willingness to prolong the truce, as of now, no formal agreement had been reached.
Discussions were still underway with mediators in Egypt and Qatar, the official said.
Israeli government spokesperson Eylon Levy said Israel would consider any serious proposal, though he declined to provide further details.
“We are doing everything we can in order to get those hostages out. Nothing is confirmed until it is confirmed,” Levy told reporters in Tel Aviv.
“We’re talking about very sensitive negotiations in which human lives hang in the balance,” he added.
Once the release of hostages ends, the fighting will resume. He said, “This war will end with the end of Hamas.”
