Israel and Hamas mentioned Thursday they’ve agreed to increase the pause in combating in Gaza for an additional day. Hamas freed 16 hostages and Israel launched 30 imprisoned Palestinians on Wednesday and each side are anticipated to launch extra on Thursday. Israeli officers have maintained that any continuation will likely be solely to permit extra hostages to be exchanged for prisoners and won’t result in a extra everlasting cease-fire. The US had additionally pushed for an extension, arguing this might permit the discharge of extra hostages held in Gaza, together with People. Secretary of State Antony Blinken arrived in Israel early Thursday, and is ready to carry talks with Israeli and Palestinian Authority leaders concerning efforts to safe the discharge of all remaining hostages and velocity up the supply of humanitarian support into Gaza, the State Division mentioned.